The owner of a red Astra was puzzled when his car was not at home where he had left it but the key was in its usual place in the house.

When he asked his son about it, the 23-year-old had nothing to say, and was not terribly interested.

The father called the police and reported the Astra missing.

The car was then found at Helston, and police inquiries revealed that the previous night it had hit a wall, and that the driver who was seen with it resembled his son.

When Luke Jeremy James, of Pendeen Park, Helston, was questioned by officers, he at first said he could not remember anything about it because he was drunk. But then he added: "I have a horrible feeling that I might have taken it."

At Truro Magistrates’ Court James pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking, having no car insurance or licence, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

He had no previous convictions.

Telling the magistrates he was sorry for what had happened, he was given a 12 month community order with alcohol treatment and rehabilitation, disqualified from driving for a year, fined £120 and had to pay £200 compensation.