A TEENAGER from Worcester who agreed to drive a stolen car for £50 was caught by police after they found his fingerprints on the door, a court was told.

Lee Shire, of Rose Avenue, Tolladine, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods when he appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court.

A Mitsubishi Warrior, worth £6,000, was stolen from outside a house in Worcester between midnight and 6.50am on Saturday, July 10. The vehicle belonged to Mark Whitehouse.

Matt Dodson, prosecuting, said the vehicle was seen driving through Hagley, near Stourbridge, the following day and was later recovered from the roadside.

Following an examination by forensic investigators, two fingerprints matching Shire’s were found on the vehicle and he was later arrested.

In interview the 18-year-old said he had been asked to drive the car from Ambleside Drive, in Warndon, Worcester, to a Little Chef restaurant in Hagley.

Shire said he was offered £50 and although he did not ask any questions, he said he suspected that the vehicle had been stolen.

Andy Childs, defending, said Shire never received the £50.

Mr Childs said: “He was approached by a third party and asked to move a car from Worcester to a location closer to Birmingham. He was promised £50.

“He was given the key, but deep down he knew it was some sort of criminal activity and still went along with it.”

The court heard how Shire was currently on a curfew order between 7pm and 6am.

Magistrates requested a full pre-sentence report to be carried out and Shire will reappear at the court on Wednesday, February 16.

The teenager was given bail until then on the condition that he will co-operate with the Probation Service.