A teenager stole his dad’s car and crashed it into a watch shop after drinking vodka with friends.
Jake Kam, of Sefton Park Road in St. Andrews, stole his dad's car keys without consent last October.
At around 10.30pm, the 18-year-old drove off in the grey SEAT Leon along Ashley Down Road in Bishopston.
Moments later, Kam, who was 17 at the time, found himself stuck in the vehicle after it flipped on its side when he crashed into Watchworks on Ashley Down Road.
Kam was found to be over the drink driving limit by police.
The teen appeared in Bristol’s Magistrates Court today (March 9), pleading guilty to four charges: aggravated vehicle taking, driving whilst under the influence of alcohol, driving without a license and driving without insurance.
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Prosecuting lawyer Paul Kelly told the court approximately £5000 worth of damage had been done to the watch shop.
“Shutters were damaged and Victoria stonework has to be repaired,” said Mr Kelly.
“The owner was already struggling due to Covid-19 impacting him financially.
“Now he is worried that his business will go elsewhere.”
David Fanson, mitigating, described Kam’s decision to drive his dad’s car as a “spectacularly bad one”, but said Kam is not a man who offends regularly and admitted his actions to police straight away.
“He has shown immediate remorse and is extremely ashamed of his actions,” said Mr Fanson.
Kam has been sentenced to an unpaid work order as well as a 12-month driving ban.
Presiding Justice Sarah Sharp told Kam he “is very fortunate” not to have to pay any compensation.
