Two brothers who took a car and then crashed it at a Falmouth beach may face prison.

Benjamin Robert Russell, from Saracen Place in Penryn, and his 28-year-old brother Dylan James Russell, from Newquay, both pleaded guilty to the offences of aggravated vehicle taking and driving without insurance when they appeared before magistrates in Truro.

A third charge of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, which 19-year-old Benjamin faced, was withdrawn.

The court heard that around 3am on Thursday, January 18, police were called to a road traffic collision involving a single vehicle at Maenporth Road in Falmouth.

Janet Furlonger, prosecuting, said that a blue Renault Clio appeared to have hit a roadside wall, sustaining a fair amount of damage.

"It transpire that earlier in the morning or later on the night before that vehicle had been taken from its rightful owner. He'd left the vehicle parked and locked and the vehicle had been taken by these two men," she explained.

Ms Furlonger continued that when police officers approached the crashed car, the Russell brothers ran away. Although Benjamin was caught quickly, Dylan initially disappeared but was later found fully immersed in a nearby river.

During a police interview Ben said that he had been drinking in Falmouth with friends and when walking back with his brother Dylan they had come across the car, which he claimed was unlocked. His brother initially got in the drivers' side and drove, before they swapped and Benjamin drove. It was then that he lost control on a bend and they had crashed into a wall.

"Dylan accepted he had run from the police when they came on the scene. When asked how he started the car he said it was quite easy - he was an electrician and fiddling with the wires was quite easy to do," added Ms Furlonger.

Robyn Smith, defending the brothers, said: "They were both fairly mortified at their own stupid actions. This is completely out of character for both brothers. They are very contrite indeed."

He explained that the pair happened to come across the car, adding that although the owner had said it was left secure, it was in fact left insecure, with police confirming there was no damage caused through entry to the car.

Roger Cargeeg, chairman of the magistrates, said: "These are very serious matters in place. Our entry point for this is custody."

He added that aggravating factors included pre-meditation - fiddling with the wires to start it - and the damage caused to the car.

The cases were adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be made, with the next hearing taking place on February 26. The brothers were remanded on unconditional bail until that time and give an interim driving disqualification.