A teenager who stole a car in Letchworth before being arrested in Royston less than 24 hours later has been given a suspended jail sentence.
Joshua Smith, of no fixed address, went into a portacabin owned by Vincent Van Hire on Saturday and stole car keys for a silver Mercedes Coupe 350 and a Skoda before making off in the Mercedes.
The 19-year-old was tracked down by officers in Royston’s Burns Road the following day, and pre-emptive tactics were used by police to avoid a chase.
Smith pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Chairman of the bench AJM Boyd imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, banned Smith from driving for six months, and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work within the next 12 months. He must also pay £300 compensation – which he is to pay at a rate of £5 per week.
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