A MAN who was caught by police driving a stolen car in Worcester has been given a community order.

Ashley Harrison, of Cherington Close, will also have to pay fines and costs totally more than £1,000 after admitting a number of offences including obstructing a police constable, having only a provisional licence when driving on his own, having no insurance, and driving without a seat belt.

The 41-year-old had initially denied the charge of receiving stolen goods when knowing or believing them to be stolen, but was found guilty of that charge on November 24.

Prosecutor Shafquat Reaz told Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday that victim Richard Cope had his car, a Ford Transit, stolen on March 13.

“On June 2 police were in patrol in Worcester and sighted the Ford Transit,” Mr Reaz said.

“It was stopped and the driver was spoken to.

"He (Harrison) was arrested. He has pleaded guilty to most of the charges.

"He was found guilty of handling stolen goods, and is now to be sentenced on all matters.”

Ilana Davis, defending, said Harrison, who is expecting another child at Christmas, gave false details to PC Breay after being caught in the vehicle in Brindley Road on June 2 last year because he was “scared” as he knew he did not have a full driving licence or insurance.

She explained Harrison had never passed a driving theory test until last year after being frustrated by it, but asked for him not to be put back in his bid to get a licence.

Miss Davis said a pre sentence report had been completed by probation, and she said its recommendation for a community order was "appropriate".

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She added Harrison, who was unemployed after losing his his last job in the pandemic, was a "different man" since the offence, had not reoffended since, and now wanted to provide for his family.

Chairman of the magistrates bench David Shadwell gave Harrison a 12 month community order including 15 rehabilitation activity days, and told him to complete 100 hours unpaid work.

He was disqualified from driving for six months, was fined £280, and told to pay a victim surcharge of £85 and costs of £640.

The total, £1,005, was to paid at a rate of £20 a month with Mr Shadwell telling Harrison the court debt was now his “number one priority” to pay off.