AN alleged car thief begged a private security firm to fit him with an electronic tag, but was refused because he did not have photo ID.

Jason Bridger ended up behind bars, because the firm refused to tag him without proof of his identity.

Mr Bridger had been ordered to wear a tag as a bail condition for allegedly taking a vehicle without consent, driving it without any insurance or a licence and obstructing a police constable.

But Worcester Magistrates' Court heard on Monday that when security officers from private firm Serco went to his home in Worcester they were unable to fit the device because Mr Bridger had no photo identification.

The 21-year-old - who even suggested they ring the police so they could identify him as the right man - was then arrested for breaching his bail conditions. Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said Bridger was willing to be tagged when the Serco officers went to his home at 10.40pm on Tuesday, April 24.

"But the Serco staff would not fit the equipment until he could provide them with photo ID.

"He does not have any and because of this the staff left without installing the monitor.

"The difficulty is that until he can satisfy staff of his ID he will be in breach of his conditions."

Mark Sheward, defending, said there was no breach of bail conditions.

"Mr Bridger even showed them his bail sheet which you would have thought would have been appropriate," he said. "But they said Home Office guidelines say you need a photograph. He's not going to get photo ID because he doen't need it for anything.

"He's still willing to have a tag fitted and even asked the security officers to call the police and get them to identify him - he tried his best."

West Mercia Probation Service said it would write a letter confirming Mr Bridger's identification to give to the security officers next time they called.

Worcester magistrates said they could find no breach of bail conditions and said they hoped the whole process would go more satisfactorily for Mr Bridger next time.

Mr Bridger, of Boscobel Place, Lowesmoor, is due back before magistrates on Thursday, June 14, to answer the original charges, which he denies. His bail conditions also include a 10pm to 5am curfew.