Motorist’s high price for damaging field

A teenager who was worrying about health problems drove off in his mother’s car onto a nearby playing field where he caused hundreds of pounds of damage.
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Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Tuesday, May 6, how Jamie Ashford, 19, of Broom Avenue, Pilsley, Chesterfield, took the Vauxhall Astra without his mother’s permission and got stuck on the nearby Morton Park fields.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said: “Mr Ashford texted his mum and stated he had stolen her car and was totally safe until he got it stuck.

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“His mother is the owner of the Astra and didn’t give him permission to drive it.”

Police saw the vehicle and said there are regular problems with people driving on the fields.

Ashford pleaded guilty to driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence, having no insurance, taking a vehicle without consent and causing criminal damage after the incident on December 26.

Ashford also accepted breaching a conditional discharge he had previously received for being drunk and disorderly in public.

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Pilsley Parish Council, which owns the fields, claims about £1,000 of damage was caused.

John Wilford, defending, said Ashford is an apprentice plasterer and feared he was going to lose his job because he has health problems including an enlarged heart and rheumatoid arthritis.

Mr Wilford added: “He was at a low ebb because he was struck with problems inhibiting his life. He had a row with his dad and foolishly decided to take his mum’s car. He’s not travelled far and he had no malicious intent and didn’t realise the playing fields were water-logged.”

Magistrates sentenced Ashford to a three-month community order with a curfew and he was ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge, £85 costs and £400 compensation.

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