A selfish joyrider cost a taxi driver thousands after pinching his car over Christmas.
North Tyneside Magistrates' Court heard Connor Studholme's victim lost £3,000 in takings alone over the festive period.
But the 27-year-old, from Walker, must pay just £500 in compensation - and has avoided jail.
The defendant stole the Silver Mondeo on Christmas Eve from outside a Byker home - where he had been a guest.
But he "skidded too sharply" on a corner and smashed into a fence.
"There were bits of wood sticking out the vehicle," claimed prosecutor Sue Baker.
In mitigation, Studholme's crimes were attributed to "poor decision making".
But deputy district judge Natalie Wortley said: "You caused severe damage to the vehicle - it was written off.
"The owner is a taxi driver, it was his livelihood."
Besides the driver's takings, the smash cost the victim a further £500 via his insurance excess.
Friday's sentencing heard the vehicle was out of action for six weeks.
The defendant, who had a string of previous convictions, pleaded guilty to five offences in relation to the incident.
Studholme, of Grasmere Avenue, pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, failing to stop, failing to report an accident and driving without a licence or the correct insurance.
But Nike-clad Studholme was praised for "doing the right thing" and handing himself in - after another man was wrongly arrested.
"That was to your credit," added the district judge.
She suspended his 18 week jail sentence for 18 months and banned him from driving for two years.
He must also carry out 240 hours of unpaid work, as well as paying a £150 charge and £85 costs.
