A YOUNG offender on a last-chance scheme designed to mend his ways went on a drinking bender before driving a car away from the garage where he was working.

Ryan Piper, a 20-year-old truck mechanic, swiped the keys to the courtesy car in defiance of a probation-run Intensive Control and Change Programme that was intended to stop his vehicle-related offences.

Piper, of Pack Lane, Basingstoke, pleaded guilty at Basingstoke magistrates court to theft by an employee, taking a Renault Clio without consent, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, driving with excess alcohol and assaulting a police officer.

Clare Roberts, prosecuting, said Piper was spotted by colleagues who saw him entering the Volvo truck and bus garage, in Knights Park Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke, last Thursday night.

They then saw the Renault Clio courtesy car being driven away.

Piper was later seen by police at the wheel of a Vauxhall Nova - driving past the parked Renault Clio, which had another person sitting in it.

Miss Roberts said Piper tried to assault the police officer who stopped him, and ripped his body armour.

A breath test showed Piper had 90 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

She added that Piper later confessed to taking the Renault without consent.

The court also heard he has previous convictions for driving while disqualified and taking vehicles without consent.

Mike Redpath, defending, said his client had disappeared from work and home for two weeks prior to the offence.

"He had been on what would be described as quite a severe bender," he said.

Mr Redpath said that his client had never passed a driving test. He added that Piper is an alcoholic and is likely to have lost his job.

Piper was put on the Intensive Control and Change Programme after being convicted of affray last November.

This requires him to learn new skills through special classes, wear an electronic tag, adhere to a curfew and work on community projects.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Piper was given conditional bail until his next court appearance on April 26.

First published: Wednesday, April 6, 2005