BLAME for a teenage tearaway's crime spree should be laid firmly at the feet of his parents, his solicitor told Droitwich magistrates.

The bench heard the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been in and out of trouble for the past two years.

But his solicitor Andrew Childs said the teenager had no support from his parents and claimed it was "hardly surprising" the boy had ended up in court.

The teenager, who spent eight weeks working for a block paving company waiting for police to arrest him on a warrant, admitted taking an Escort van without the owner's consent, failing to show up for court and breaching a supervision order.

Peter Parson, prosecuting yesterday, said the van's owner reported it missing from Martindale Close in Warndon on Wednesday, July 25 - a week after magistrates imposed the supervision order.

At 5am, police spotted it in Astwood Road and followed it to Tunnel Hill.

But by the time they got to it, both doors were wide open and the 17-year-old had fled.

"The officers spoke to people nearby and got a description," Mr Parson said.

"They found the defendant, and another youth, hiding in a nearby pub car park.

"It was a joint enterprise - although the defendant told police he had never driven it."

Mr Childs said it was "a blessing" the teenager had kept out of trouble since the incident with the van.

But he hit out at the youth's parents who had washed their hands of him.

"What do you do with someone of 17 who hasn't complied with a supervision order," he asked the bench, urging them not to lock him up.

"But he's been so disadvantaged, these crimes are hardly surprising.

"He doesn't have a parent or caring adult in court today - he's totally reliant on the Youth Offending Team.

"Where are the role models who take a day-to-day interest? He's had an upward struggle because they're simply not there."

Mr Childs said the best the teenager could look forward to was a reformed crook in Ronkswood giving him a roof over his head.

"He's no support from any immediate family, but this man might be someone who gives him the extra push he needs to make sure he gets up in the morning and attends a community punishment order."

The 17-year-old told the bench: "I know I haven't got the best record, but I like physical work - I like all kinds of work.

"I'd see community punishment as working to pay off my debt to people."

But the bench ignored his pleas and sentenced him to a four month detention and training order.