A Pitsea teenager with an obsession for cars has been locked up again.

The 17-year-old was first cautioned for car offending at 11, received his first conviction at 13 and has now been banned from driving for the fourth time.

The youth, whose ambition was said to be to become a motor mechanic, pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court to driving on the M25 while disqualified.

His barrister, Katharine Blackburn, said: "He simply loves driving and feels he has a need to be around cars.

"But he now accepts that he cannot carry on like this."

The boy had suffered a difficult upbringing and had turned to drugs and alcoholism, she said.

He was in Feltham young offenders' institution, had gained various qualifications and was now in a position of trust, she added.

Judge Zoe Smith imposed a four-month detention and training order to run with his present sentence.

The youth was banned from driving for two further months.

Published Thursday, April 10, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo