A JUDGE told a Newport teenager yesterday that someone was going to get "very badly hurt" if he continues to act in the way he does.

Judge Philip Richards was sentencing 18-year-old Anthony Kent after he pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving on New Year's Day.

Kent, of Old Barn Estate, St Julians, drove the Vauxhall Nova, which was reported missing earlier on January 1, at high speeds through residential areas of Newport.

Just after 11pm that day, a police officer saw the car being driven around Ringland and Somerton at high speeds, across junctions, and narrowly avoiding collisions.

Kent and his passenger abandoned the car and made their way towards Somerton.

A search began and the police helicopter spotted Kent hiding in undergrowth in Laburnam Drive. He was tracked down by a police dog handler.

The car was so badly damaged it was written off. Newport crown court heard that Kent, who was in custody while awaiting sentence, had a substantial criminal record and a drug and alcohol problem.

Sentencing him to a two-year community rehabilitation order, Judge Richards warned: "I know you've had a great deal of unhappiness in your life, but I'm afraid it's about time you began to think of others.

"I am seriously concerned that if you go on as you are, someone is going to get very badly hurt. It could be an innocent child or member of the public.

"A person also going to be hurt is yourself, because you are going to find it very difficult to live with if something of that sort occurs."

The judge said the order he was making was designed to help him. "Had you not spent the time you have in custody pending sentence, I would have had to sentence you to custody," he said.

"If there's a breach of the order, I'm afraid you will be going back into custody. Make something of the opportunity I am giving you." Kent was also banned from driving for two years.