A TEENAGER who took his mother's car and set it on fire has been given a suspended jail term - despite not having a licence or insurance.
Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told that on May 3, residents heard a vehicle crash in Millhouses Street, Hoyland, and called police.
Jayne Ormrod, prosecuting, said calls described three men trying to set fire to a VW Golf. One man set off running and a police officer chased and arrested Joshua Cameron, 19, of Cobcar Lane, Hoyland, who then failed a roadside breath test.
The two other men were brothers and had 'white powder around their nostrils'.
Mrs Ormrod said Cameron's mother had been working in a pub in Blacker Hill and Cameron, who works in London, was staying with her that week.
His mum had gone to bed, taking her car keys with her, but later heard her other son and nephew asking where her car was. Cameron had been out drinking and later admitted he got 'legless'.
He remembered picking the brothers up at about 11pm but could not account for how he got to where he was arrested.
Eric Bray, mitigating, said Cameron worked through the week in London as a civil engineer for Network Rail, and then returned home on Fridays.
"What on earth he was playing at goodness only knows," said Mr Bray. "He is known as a hard-working, enthusiastic and safety-conscious member of his team. He was trying on the night to be something of a good Samaritan to his two friends who were not in a fit state to get home."
Cameron admitted driving without a licence, no insurance, arson, driving over the legal alcohol limit and aggravated vehicle taking.
He was given a 26-week suspended prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
