A CARLISLE motorist who wrecked his father’s car after taking it without permission and crashing it must pay to replace it.

Magistrates at the city’s Rickergate court made the compensation order - totalling more than £6,000 - after hearing about the disastrous and illegal car journey made by 25-year-old Patrick Campbell on April 13 this year.

The defendant, of Orton Road, Carlisle, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, careless driving, driving while uninsured, driving in a way not authorised by his licence, and failing to stop after an accident.

The court heard that the defendant’s father had bought the Kia Sportage in December last year, paying £6,800 for it.

On the evening of April 12, he had left the car parked on Dobinson Road, Carlisle for the night and gone to bed at 11pm.  But at 5.20am the next morning, said prosecutor Pam Ward, two police officers arrived at his home.

They told him that the car had crashed into a hedge at Thornby village, near Micklethwaite. The father confirmed that he gave no permission for the car to be used that night. When he tried to call his son, his mobile was switched off.

The court heard that Campbell was clearly injured after the accident and unable to walk very well. When Mr Campbell senior made a claim on his insurance, the application was refused.

Mark Shepherd, defending, said the background to the offences included “traumatic events” in the defendant’s life, which had left Campbell struggling to manage his emotions or talk about his problems.

“As a result, he acts impulsively and gets into trouble,” said the lawyer.

The lawyer added that he hoped the sentence imposed by the court would help steer his client towards bereavement counselling. Mr Shepherd added that the offending had damaged the defendant’s relationship with his father, and this upset him greatly.

Magistrates imposed a community order with 25 rehabilitation activity days and an 18-month driving ban.

The sentence includes an order to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. There was no order for costs but magistrates ordered that Campbell must pay £6,495 compensation to his father at a  rate of £50 per week.