A HarD-drinker was yesterday handed a curfew and an electronic tag by a judge.

Alan Thurston, 20, who downed 16 pints a session, was also ordered to pay £400 compensation after he pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking on November 4.

Judge David Bryant said at Teesside Crown Court: "If he can find the money to buy 16 pints on a fairly regular basis, he can find the money to pay compensation."

Thurston drove away a Vauxhall Astra in the early hours of the morning but because the steering wheel was locked, rammed it into a parked van and pushed it 30 feet along Mansfield Avenue, Thornaby.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, said the van owner's girlfriend heard the bang and when she looked out of the window, she saw two men jump out of the Astra and run off.

Police quickly stopped the men nearby. Thurston who smelled strongly of drink, was injured and claimed he had been involved in a scuffle.

He was later arrested when a DNA swab from the steering wheel matched his saliva.

Johnny Walker, defending, said that Thurston's mother, who was in court, would be in favour of a curfew being imposed.

Thurston, of Derby Terrace, Thornaby, was given a 9pm-6am curfew with electronic tagging by Securicor as part of an 18 months Community Rehabilitation Order.

The order included attending the Think First Programme, and £400 compensation to the Astra's owner.