A Pembroke Dock teenager has been given a 12-month community order after admitting travelling around the area in a stolen vehicle with his friend.

Eighteen-year-old Kyle Davies, of Sunderland Avenue, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates court on Tuesday, charged with being carried in a Vauxhall Vivaro van that had been taken without the consent of the owner; and stealing tools to the value of £2,000.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court that on June 14, the victim woke up to find that his vehicle with his work tools inside, had been taken from outside his home in Neyland.

“The victim thought that it was some kind of a prank and phoned his friends, before then contacting the police,” she explained.

After searching Milford, Neyland, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock for the vehicle, officers on duty that day later spotted the vehicle travelling towards them with two males inside.

The 17-year-old driver (who cannot be named in the press) and Mr. Davies in the passenger seat turned to each other and looked worried, the court heard.

“Officers followed the van to Manorbier and Hodgeston where it came to a stop, and both males were arrested,” continued Ms Morgan.

“When interviewed by police, Mr. Davies said that he and his friend had gone to Neyland at around 5 am in the morning, and jumped in the van and drove it around Pembroke Dock before leaving it.

“They went back to it the next day, dumped the tools and drove it some more.

“The tools were recovered and there was no damage to the van,” added Ms Morgan.

Defence solicitor Matthew Greenish told magistrates that his client and his co-defendant had found the keys in the ignition of the van.

“He doesn’t know what came over him, it his not usual behaviour,” he remarked.

“Mr. Davies fully co-operated with police. He feels extremely stupid and remorseful, and would like to apologise for his behaviour,” added Mr. Greenish.

Magistrates gave Mr. Davies a 12-month community order with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) of 25 days and 50 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and an £85 victim surcharge.