A DRUNKEN teenager let himself into a stranger's car because it looked "comfy to sleep in".

On Thursday at Alloa Sheriff Court, Matthew Selby admitted entering the vehicle in Devonside's Alexandra Street on March 19 this year without lawful authority, so in the circumstances it may be reasonably inferred that he intended to commit theft.

The 19-year-old also pleaded guilty to acting in a threatening manner by shouting, swearing and uttering threats of violence towards the car's owner, as well as loitering in the vicinity of said property, climbing on scaffolding there and looking in the house's windows.

Fiscal depute Mhairi Alexander told the court that Mr Whyte, the car's owner, returned home at around 10pm on March 18, but could not remember if he secured the motor within the gated property.

At around 2am the following morning, Mr Whyte and his wife were woken by the sound of their dog barking.

On investigation, they noticed that the interior light of their car was on and spotted the accused rummaging around in the front passenger seat.

The couple went outside and told Selby to get out of the property. He refused, so Mrs Whyte returned indoors to call the police.

The teenager began to shout and swear at Mr Whyte, warning him: "Don't come any closer."

When asked why he was in the car, Selby allegedly stated: "You don't understand, they told me to steal it."

The gates of the property were said to be held open by two traffic cones, so Mr Whyte thought the accused was going to nab the vehicle.

When Mr Whyte returned indoors to await the arrival of the police, Selby was seen to climb scaffolding outside the property and peer in the house's windows.

When eventually arrested and charged, Selby made no reply to officers.
In defence, it was claimed that the accused had a good upbringing and was supported in court by his mother.

Selby, or Ringans Lane in Stirling, was said to be on a night out with friends and after being separated from them was tasked with making his own way home.

In his "drunken stupidity", the teenager saw the vehicle and thought it looked "comfy to sleep in".

Now seeing the effects of what alcohol can do, Selby was said to be "very remorseful" and wanted to "give something back and learn his lesson".

Sheriff Gillian Wade told Selby it was a dreadful offence that must have caused fear and alarm.

She said: "You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself."

Selby was sentenced to a Community Payback Order with 225 hours of unpaid work to be completed within six months.