COURT Teen stole and crashed vehicle under influence of drink or drugs

A Plains teenager who nicked a car and drove it while under the influence of drink or drugs was said by a lawyer to have“gone off the rails.”

The 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stole the vehicle from Arbuckle Place in his home village on August 30 last year and drove it on Ballochney Road, Airdrie, while unfit to do so through drink or drugs.

The unruly teen was subsequently found to possess neither a driving licence nor insurance.

Airdrie Sheriff Court heard last week that the yob then assaulted a police officer by pushing her on the body and attempted to punch another female officer.

He then attempted to resist arrest from the two officers by violently lashing out with his arms, tensing his body.

Prosecutor Mohammed Anwar told the court:“The owner had parked up the car at 9pm and the keys were on the windowsill within his house.

“A neighbour heard a loud bang, police were called and the accused was traced to a nearby garden.

“He resisted arrest, pushed one police officer in the chest and tried to punch another.

“His eyes were bloodshot and he was smelling strongly of cannabis. He was cautioned and charged and made no reply.”

The teenager’s lawyer, Paul Belardo, said in mitigation:“He went off the rails but seems to be back on track to a degree.”

Sheriff Vincent Smith fined the boy £270 and banned him from driving for 12 months.

He also ordered him to be electronically tagged for 80 days and to remain at home each day between 7pm and 7am.