A Tenby teenager who took a car without consent from Haverfordwest and then drove it to Swansea before returning to his home town has been handed a 12 month community order.
Nineteen-year-old Alex Osborn of Heywood Court, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to plead guilty to a charge of taking a Peugeot 206 without the consent of the vehicle’s owner.
He also admitted further charges of using a motor vehicle on a public road without third party insurance; and driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence.
Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that the owner of the vehicle that was taken was at University but he stored his vehicle at his mother’s house in Letterston.
“Mr. Osborn had been out with the victim’s brother on the night of October 27 and they returned to the house that night in Letterston via taxi.
“When they got back, at some point during the night Mr. Osborn took the opportunity to take the car keys, driving from Letterston to Swansea, where he triggered a speed camera, before driving all the way back to Tenby where he parked up at the Salterns car park before walking home.
“He rang his friend the next morning to say what he had done.
“It was a considerable distance he had driven. It’s a rather strange situation. Why drive to Swansea and then all the way back?” added Mr. Pritchard-Jones.
Defence solicitor Jonathan Webb told the court that his client could offer no good reason as to why he did what he did.
“Half way through the night, he decided he wanted to go home, but I have no idea why he went via Swansea,” he said.
The court heard from probation officer Mr. Mathias that the defendant had a similar previous conviction from 2018.
Magistrates handed Mr. Osborn a 12 month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work, a thinking skills programme, and a 10 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.
His licence was also endorsed with six penalty points, and he was ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £90 victim surcharge.