FINGERPRINTS belonging to Ely teenager Alan Love-ridge were found inside a stolen car, and on a stolen number plate put on the vehicle, magistrates heard this week. Loveridge had earlier denied having anything to do with the car – but later admitted his i

FINGERPRINTS belonging to Ely teenager Alan Love-ridge were found inside a stolen car, and on a stolen number plate put on the vehicle, magistrates heard this week.

Loveridge had earlier denied having anything to do with the car - but later admitted his involvement when faced with forensic evidence.

Last month, the 18-year-old, of Abbots Way, Ely, admitted allowing himself to be carried inside the stolen Vauxhall Astra, and stealing number plates.

And this week city magistrates sentenced him to a three-month electronic tagging order, keeping him indoors every night between 7pm and 7am, and ordering him to pay £60 costs.

The Astra car was stolen from Holly Walk in Ely between 15 and 17 October last year, prosecutor Emma Dmitriev told the court.

When told that his fingerprints were found on the car's interior mirror and the ignition barrel was smashed, Loveridge admitted he had ridden in the vehicle.

He later accepted stealing number plates from another vehicle.

Solicitor Adam Haselhurst told the court that Loveridge was given a community order by Ipswich Crown Court last month for five offences of stealing a motor vehicle. He asked the magistrates not to jail the teenager.

"He did not steal the Astra but got into the vehicle knowing it was stolen," he added. "He participated in the theft of the licence plates at the request of another person.