Teenage "hijinks" landed a Carlisle man in court.

The 19-year-old not only fled from a city petrol station without paying for fuel, but also let his friend take the car for a ride - despite not holding a valid licence or insurance.

Luke Robert Colin Whitfield filled up his Ford Fiesta with more than £40 of fuel at Morrisons, off Kingstown Road, on February 2, before later letting his friend drive the vehicle despite not having a licence or insurance.

Magistrates in the city yesterday heard that the car belonging to Whitfield, of Lowther Browns Lonning, off Wigton Road, was seen later that day being driven at a "fast pace".

Whitfield was charged with theft of the petrol; driving without due care and attention; permitting the use of a vehicle without insurance; and permitting the driving of a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He pleaded guilty to all four offences.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said that Whitfield was seen by staff looking towards the kiosk before then getting back into the car and driving away from the forecourt.

She said Whitfield's friend was found behind the wheel of the car by officers just after midnight on February 3, adding: "[Whitfield] said that he had given the car keys to a friend."

Mrs Ward told the court the car was being driven "about 10mph" above the speed limit.

Mark Shepherd, defending, told the court that Whitfield knew what he had done was wrong and that he would be punished.

He said: "This was stupid and he fully accepts that.

"He and a friend thought it would be good in their minds and that it would be fun. It was hijinks between the two.

"[Whitfield] took the fuel and then allowed his friend to drive the vehicle.

"He knows he has done wrong and should be punished for this.

"This is theft in the sense that it is making off without payment. He filled up his car and didn't pay."

Whitfield was given six points for letting his friend drive the car.

This invoked a totting disqualification - where his points exceeded those allowed before an automatic ban is imposed - of six months.

He was also fined £140.

Magistrates also fined him a further £120 for stealing the fuel and ordered him to pay £41.38 in compensation.

Whitfield must also pay £115 costs.