A NEWTON Aycliffe man has been tagged and ordered to pay out more than £1,000 after taking and crashing a friend's car.

William Terrance Ryan, of Lingard Walk, was spotted on November 28 by police driving erratically after taking his friend's car keys from a cupboard without consent.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard the 25-year-old made off at speed, crashed into a Vauxhall Corsa and fled on foot to his home where he was picked up by police.

Sarah Traynor, prosecuting, said Ryan first gave a no comment interview to police then later admitted taking the car and said he panicked when he saw officers.

In a victim statement from the car owner and friend Thomas Young, he said he had been 'devastated' by what had happened and felt 'betrayed'.

The court heard Ryan had a number of previous convictions.

Gwen Burnett, mitigating, said the defendant had gone to 'rescue' his sister after a call from her saying she was having some trouble with a man.

She added Ryan had rolled into the other car adding: "It wasn't really a crash."

Judge Meachin said: "This is a serious offence."

The defendant pleaded guilty on Wednesday (December 16) to aggravated vehicle taking and vehicle damage, driving otherwise in accordance with a licence and using a vehicle without insurance

Ryan was tagged for 12 weeks with a curfew from 9pm to 6am, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months and his licence was endorsed.

He was ordered to pay £570 to his friend, £200 to the driver of the Corsa, a £180 criminal court charge and prosecution costs of £85.