A man who stole a car and damaged it has been banned from driving for a year.

Aaron O’Donovan, 34, stole a Nissan Micra from High Wycombe back in July and before it was recovered, caused damage to the car.

O’Donovan, from Nuthurst in Bracknell, appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on August 28 charged with aggravated vehicle taking, using a motor vehicle without third party insurance, driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and two counts of vehicle interference in relation to two other vehicles.

He previously pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty.

At High Wycombe Magistrates, he was jailed for 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months for aggravated vehicle taking and ordered to pay £450 in compensation.

He was given a 28-day prison sentence suspended for 12 months for each of the vehicle interference charges.

There were no separate penalties for using a motor vehicle without third party insurance and driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Court documents suggest he was given a suspended sentence for previous convictions and the circumstances of these crimes – that he “took a person’s car, damaged it and was on drink/drugs at the time”.

O’Donovan has been banned from the road for 12 months. He does not have to pay court surcharges because he is of “limited means” and compensation must take priority.