A SHEPTON Mallet teenager who crashed the car he had been sleeping in after being forced to leave home had no driving licence or insurance and had never passed a test.

Clem Stannard collided with a parked vehicle, panicked and left the scene but was eventually traced by police.

When he appeared before District Judge Angela Brereton at Yeovil he admitted charges of driving without insurance and a licence, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident to the police.

Prosecutor Emma Lenanton said that on November 21 last year the police were called to St Michaels Avenue in Yeovil after reports that an Audi A4 had been left at the scene following a collision.

It had scratches on the passenger’s side and a front tyre was deflated and someone later reported that their car had been damaged after being hit by the vehicle.

A form was sent to the registered keeper who informed the police that they had sold it to Stannard and he admitted being the driver.

“He said he was between addresses so bought the car to sleep in but was not planning on driving it,” said Miss Lenanton.

“However due to not having a licence after crashing the vehicle he panicked and ran away from the scene.”

Defending solicitor Neil Priest said that Stannard was a vulnerable individual and bought the car to sleep in after being forced to leave the address he was staying at.

“He has a lack of responsibility concerning driving and has never taken a driving test, however he now has a possible tenancy which he is trying to obtain,” he said.

The defendant was banned from driving for four months and sentenced to a community order with 15 Rehabilitation Activity Days, He was also fined £50 with £40 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.