A 19-YEAR-OLD, left in charge of a Stourport family's £20,000 Mercedes sports car, drove it away in the early hours and crashed it into their home, writing off the vehicle and wrecking the kitchen.

Robert Drysdale told the police he had moved the car from outside the house in Moorhall Lane because he believed it might be a target for vandals.

In court at Kidderminster, Drysdale admitted taking the car without permission, damaging it and driving without insurance or valid licence.

He was put under a community supervision order, banned from driving for a year and told to pay £118 costs.

His mother, Jane Drysdale, was abroad on business when learner driver Robert wrecked the car.

When she found out she was shocked but her chief concern was for his welfare and not the damage, his solicitor, Fergus Maxwell, told the court.

"Her obvious wrath turned into relief and forgiveness," Mr Maxwell said.

The damage to the car and the house was covered by insurance.

Magistrates' chairman Michael Conway told Drysdale: "We note that your mother gave you support and we hope you have learned a valuable lesson".

Drysdale and his brother had a party while their mother was away, prosecutor Clare Linehan told the magistrates.

He had decided in the early hours that he should move the car.