NIGHT raiders made so much noise breaking into a parked car in Mart Lane, Stourport, at 3.20am, that they roused the owners.

Their number was taken and police intercepted them on their way home through Kiddermin-ster, magistrates heard.

One of the thieves was drinking from a bottle of lager from a case of two dozen in the car, said prosecutor Sally Hill.

He claimed to have bought the beer from a gipsy, but it was part of a brew that had never been on public sale and was traced back to a brewery in Reading.

Gareth Flavell, 19, of Rutland Place, Dudley, was put on probation for 18 months after the court heard he had been in custody on remand for a month.

He admitted entering the car and stealing the lager and clothing, worth £150.