A THIEF who took a car and stole a case of cider was given the chance to make a fresh start by Worcester magistrates.

Glen Bunegar, aged 20, took an M-registration blue Ford Escort from Bromyard Road in St John's without the owner's consent, magistrates heard.

"On Wednesday, January 9 last year, police attended after a motor vehicle was reported taken," said Kiernan Cunningham, prosecuting.

"A full forensic investigation was carried out which led police to Mr Bunegar."

On Wednesday, July 31, Bunegar was spotted as a passenger in a car on Bromyard Road that had been taken from a nearby driveway without the owner's permission.

"Further investigation revealed the ignition wires seemed to be hanging down," Mr Cunningham told the court yesterday.

Bunegar, of Chedworth Drive, Warndon, was arrested and admitted both offences.

On Friday, October 25, Bunegar was caught on CCTV stealing a case of cider, valued at £18, from the Co-op in Dines Green.

He pleaded guilty to the offences.

Barry Newton, defending, said Bunegar wanted to turn his life around after becoming a father three months ago, and hoped to train to become a chef.

"He is 21 in February and in my dealings with him he has demonstrated, at long last, some grasp of responsibility and growing maturity," said Mr Newton.

Bunegar had previously served short custodial sentences, but Mr Newton said these had not persuaded him to change his ways.

Mr Newton said a community rehabilitation order and supervision from the probation service would help Bunegar "foster a non-offending lifestyle".

The chairman of the bench said the 20-year-old had been "a nuisance to the community" but gave him a 12-month community rehabilitation order to run concurrently for all the offences.

Bunegar was ordered to pay £100 costs and £18 compensation.