A TEENAGER embarked on a vehicle crime spree targeting cars and petrol stations across the region to pay off mounting drug debts, a court heard.

Luke Michael Boniface was spared prison by magistrates sentencing him for 17 offences on Friday (January 23), including aggravated vehicle taking, vehicle theft, criminal damage and assault.

The 19-year-old had been in custody since handing himself in to police on Friday, January 2, and pleaded guilty to all offences when he appeared by video link at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court, County Durham, on Friday, January 9.

The offences included: taking a Subaru Impreza without the owner’s consent in Darlington on Friday, November 7; causing criminal damage to a patio window in Shildon, County Durham, on Sunday, December 7; aggravated vehicle taking and assault in Evenwood, on Wednesday, December 10; and damaging a Volkswagen Passat in Bishop Auckland the following day.

The following offences occurred on Thursday, December 18: taking a Ford Transit Connect without consent in Layburn, North Yorkshire; taking a Toyota Yaris without consent in Shildon; theft of number plates from cars in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, Middleton Tyas, North Yorkshire, and Great Stainton, County Durham; making off without payment for diesel in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, and Bradbury, near Sedgefield, County Durham; driving without a licence and insurance; and failing to stop after a road accident.

Boniface also admitted committing offences while subject to a conditional discharge and a joint charge of theft of a motor vehicle on Tuesday, November 18.

Magistrates in Newton Aycliffe read a report prepared by the Probation Service about Boniface, of Shirley Terrace, Evenwood.

Liam Brison, mitigating, said Boniface only had one previous conviction, a criminal damage offence last October, adding: “Mr Boniface got himself into a situation where use of cocaine, which began as recreational drug use, escalated to the point where he found himself with drug debts he couldn’t meet.

“The drug use seems to have changed his character. His girlfriend, sister and mother are all here in court to support him and they have indicated this change in character arose in the latter half of last year leading up to the offences.”

Magistrates sentenced Boniface to a total of 24 weeks in custody but suspended the term for 24 months.

Boniface was banned from driving for 18 months and was ordered to pay £774 compensation.