A Llanelli man who stole a fellow reveller’s car from her home after a night out in Tenby, before being found wearing fancy dress attire and lipstick after ‘writing-off’ the vehicle, has been given a community order in court.

Twenty-two-year-old Brandon Martin Rudge, of Clifton Terrace, appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court, on Tuesday, charged with aggravated vehicle taking; driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence; and using a motor vehicle in a public place without third party insurance.

The defendant, who the court heard was a full-time mortgage advisor, pleaded guilty to all three offences, which occurred on September 17.

Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that the complainant, 25-year-old waitress Sian Heard, of Templeton, had been in Tenby for a night out with her girlfriend.

“The girls met up with Mr. Rudge and his friend in Tenby, and ended up getting a taxi back to her place where they continued to drink.

“Ms Heard went to bed, but was woken up shortly after 4 am by a phone call to tell her that police had found her Toyota Auris crashed into a lamp-post near her home.

“Mr. Rudge and his friend must have been drunk because before they left the premises they put on some fancy dress - with one in a silver sequin top, and the other male in a fluffy outfit like an aeroplane, and they were both wearing lipstick!” explained Mr. Pritchard-Jones.

“The defendant accepted that he had taken the vehicle and was doubtless over the alcohol limit at the time. He has no previous convictions, but cautions for attempting to possess MDMA and battery,” he added.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher told the court that it was a “moment of madness” for his client to decide to drive an unfamiliar vehicle in the darkness with no licence.

“Mr. Rudge has no real idea why he decided to take and drive the vehicle.

“He said that he had finished drinking before the others and can only say that at the time of the accident, he didn’t feel under the influence of alcohol.

“Indeed, he has not been charged with drink-driving because it can’t be proved.

“The fact that Mr. Rudge and his friend were dressed in fancy dress clothing is not an indication of them being drunk - but simply having a good time!” continued Mr. Kelleher.

Magistrates told Mr. Rudge that this was a very stupid sequence of events, before issuing him with a community order with an unpaid work requirement of 300 hours for the offence of vehicle taking.

He was issued with a total of nine penalty points for the other two offences, and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 12 months.

The defendant was also ordered to pay compensation to the complainant of £414.30, prosecution costs of £85, and a £30 victim surcharge.