AN APPRENTICE bricklayer’s summer crime spree ended when he was given a 12 month supervision order and placed on a 55 hour program.

Keith Cridland, 18, of Old Hall Lane, Elton, was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay £60 costs, and £187.99 compensation.

He was charged with driving while disqualified using a vehicle with no insurance, attempted theft of a vehicle and a theft matter.

On Tuesday, April 10, Hugh McNeil, of Holm Drive, Elton, left his Ford Fiesta locked on his front drive way.

Sue Gibson, prosecuting, said: ‘He was woken by a banging on the front door. It was his neighbour saying the Fiesta had both its doors open and was now in the middle of the road and that two youths had been trying to steal the car. The steering lock was damaged.’

Police officers found Cridland’s finger prints on the car, which had £500 of damage to it.

On May 25, at about 4.30pm, at Hapsford Services, near Elton, a shop worker saw two boys, Cridland was wearing a scarf over his mouth and nose to disguise himself, remove a pane of glass from a display and take a Sony PSP game system and an MP3 player.

Sue Gibson said: ‘Several finger prints were taken, again this defendant’s.

Stephen Coupe, defending, said: ‘He split up with his girlfriend and got in with the wrong crowd.’

Chair Magistrate Margaret Dunbar said: ‘You will be subject to a super vision order for 12 months and attend the Think First Program. It’s a long, time consuming program so don’t feel you are getting away lightly.’