Man could be jailed after drunkenly stealing his friend's car and crashing it

A man’s been told he could face prison after drunkenly stealing his friend’s car and crashing it.

Jack Almond of Malew Street in Castletown appeared before magistrates at Douglas Courthouse.

The 22 year old admitted taking a car without permission, drink-driving, having no licence or insurance, and failing to stop or report a crash on February 12.

Prosecutor Chrissie Hunt told the court Almond had been drinking at a friend’s house on Princes Road in Ramsey.

When they went to bed, he took the keys and started the silver Renault Megane – only to crash it into a parked Land Rover nearby.

Despite severe damage to the vehicle, he drove it to Queens Pier Road and abandoned it outside Coronation Park where it was spotted by an off-duty police officer.

Almond sent a Snapchat message to his friend admitting he’d stolen the vehicle and when police arrived to arrest him he told them he’d “admit the whole thing” if officers let him finish his coffee and cigarette.

Magistrates asked for probation reports to be prepared and bailed him in the sum of £500 to appear again for sentencing on July 28.