A HOD-carrier who rowed with his girlfriend and drove off in her car without her permission has appeared before Evesham magistrates.

Hank Wootton, aged 26, took the Rover Vitesse that belonged to the mother of his two children.

"The two of them were returning home when a discussion started about the defendant using the vehicle," said Nigel Reader, prosecuting.

"Mr Wootton asked to use the car but his partner refused the request.

"Not long after getting home the defendant took the keys and helped himself to the vehicle and drove off without the owner's consent.

"He had no proper insurance and no driving licence."

Wootton, of Meadowlands, Upton-upon-Severn, admitted the charges of taking a vehicle without consent and driving with no insurance and not in accordance with his licence.

David Jackson, defending, said the vehicle in question was the family car.

"This is not a case of a ruffian using a screwdriver to steal a car," he said.

"But for legal reasons he should not have driven as he was not insured and only had a provisional driving licence."

Wootton was given a 12-month conditional discharge with nine points added to his licence, fined a total of £300 and ordered to pay £69 costs.