A TEENAGER who was housed by social workers in a motorway service station hotel stole a police car and claimed he drove it at speeds of up to 140mph.
The Swindon 16-year-old, who has attention deficit disorder, had been staying in an M4 motorway Travel Lodge with nothing to do but watch television.
So he and his friends stole the marked Vauxhall Omega from an unmanned police office at the Chievely services near Newbury and the boy drove it at speed before crashing into a wall. in Swindon
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was one of up to 14 children who are put up in hotels each night in the borough. Swindon Council's social services department says it has a duty to find vulnerable 16- and 17-year-olds 'supported independent living'.
The town's magistrates were told that when the boy was arrested he was found to have an array of police property, including a speed gun, breath test kit, handcuffs, baton, police radio, anti-stab vest and other clothing.
Rosalind Cameron-Mowat told the hearing that the Thames Valley Police traffic section had a base at the service station which was burgled in the early hours of Sunday, September 1.
She said two doors were kicked in at the premises, which had neither an alarm nor CCTV, and various items, including the keys to a patrol car, and the car, itself taken.
The youngster said his friends left him and he drove the vehicle, until he crashed it into a wall in Swindon.
He was then spotted on CCTV in Swindon town centre at 5am with a girl who was blowing into a breath test kit and after a short chase, both were arrested. Officers recovered a police utility belt, stab-proof vest and a baton.
In his room at the hotel they also recovered a police torch, another stab-proof vest, a speed gun, radio battery, blue Nato pullover and a phone case.
Tony Nowogrodzki, defending, said: "It is no excuse but he was in his room. He has no car and can't drive. He had nothing to do there except watch television."
When his friends turned up out of the blue Mr Nowogrodzki said he foolishly decided to go along with them and took the car.
He told the hearing at Swindon Youth Court that his client suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and had not been taking his medication.
He also put on the front to give the impression that he was a big tough man when in reality he was still very immature.
Mr Nowogrodzki added: "He said he drove at 140mph. I think he is exaggerating a bit there."
At an earlier hearing the youngster admitted aggravated taking without the owner's consent and handling stolen goods.
Sentencing him to a one-year detention and training order, chairman of the bench Mary Holland said: "This is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be passed."
The order means he will spend the first half in custody and the second six months receiving help in the community.
Swindon Council spokeswoman Sarah Deacon said the Travel Lodge, which is more than 30 miles away, was the only accommodation available on the night.
She said: "The number of 16- and 17-year-olds living this way varies from day to day but is normally between seven and 14. Placement decisions are made based on availability and the needs of individuals at the time. Social Services work closely with the Youth Offending team on these issues."
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