A Whitehaven man without a driving licence has been tagged after he drove to pick-up his partner from work.

Jack Elliott Murray, 26, admitted driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and driving uninsured.

He appeared at the magistrates court in Workington on Friday, where he was handed a six-month community order with a requirement to abide by a two-month curfew.

The court heard a friend was due to accompany Murray to pick up his girlfriend from Sellafield, where she works.

However the friend failed to turn-up and Murray decided he would drive himself.

Diane Jackson, prosecuting, said a member of the civil nuclear constabulary spotted Murray sitting in a car in the visitors' car park and did a random check. Mrs Jackson said: "He fully admitted he didn't have permission to take the car and didn't have a valid licence."

David Thompson, defending, said: "Unfortunately the friend let him down and rather than him letting his partner down, he took the stupid decision to get into her car and go to collect her."

He added there was no premeditation and it had been a spontaneous action. "He didn't want his girlfriend not to have anybody collect her from work. She had stern words with him after the incident and they are still together," said Mr Thompson.

Murray was also disqualified from driving for six months and must pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge,