A MAN tried to set his car on fire after crashing into two parked cars in a residential street, a court heard.

Jack Bird was seen running off after the crash on Church Road, Eastleigh.

But shortly after, he came back and tried to move the Ford Focus.

He got a hoody out and put it into the petrol gage.

Prosecuting, David Logan-Rose told Southampton Magistrates' Court the 23-year-old was seen trying to set the clothing on fire, before becoming aggressive and beginning to shout.

Police were called but by that time, Bird had left.

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Mr Logan-Rose said “significant damage [was] caused to his vehicle and the two vehicles he had crashed into”, adding that witnesses had described him as under the influence of alcohol.

Bird, of Shears Road, Bishopstoke, later pleaded guilty to multiple charges including driving without a licence, driving without insurance, failure to stop after an accident, failure to report an accident and driving without due care and attention.

Mitigating, William Day said Bird was fit and well and not highly convicted.

He added that Bird will do as ordered to by the court and will comply with any order that is passed.

On January 6, he was handed a community order to last for the next 18 months.

As part of this, he must complete 40 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a surcharge of £95.

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