A YOUTH accused of unlawfully taking two cars belonging to his father without consent could be given a conditional caution.

The 16-year-old appeared before Swindon Youth Court on Tuesday along with a boy of 17 who was charged with allowing himself to be carried in them.

Magistrates adjourned the case after hearing neither boy and any previous convictions and the Crown Prosecution Service, the Youth Offending Team and defence solicitors had agreed the caution would be suitable.

Richard Williams for the 16-year-old, who cannot be identified, said: “This is a slightly unusual case in that the only complainant is his father who owned the two vehicles involved. He no longer supports the prosecution. However at the same time he would like the matter marked.”

Emma Handslip, representing the 17-year-old, said he had admitted in interview with the police that he was carried in vehicle but he was not there at the time the damage was done. She supported the request for a conditional caution.

Charges alleged the younger boy took the Ford and Seat cars on June 6, drove them on a public road in Swindon without insurance or a licence and that damage was caused before they were recovered.

The case was adjourned until September 20, but the defendants were warned by the bench that the caution was dependent on their attitude and whether the police were willing to do it.

Conditional cautions require defendants to take part in rehabilitation and sometimes reparation, including repairing damage or paying compensation.