Teenager jailed for stealing car in west Belfast
A Belfast teenager who crashed a stolen car and sped off from police has been jailed for five months.
Sean McKay, from Ross Rise, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, failing to stop, remain or report an accident and having no insurance.
The charges related to the theft of a Honda Accord spotted speeding through traffic on the Falls Road in April.
The 18-year-old was also disqualified from driving for a year and fined £75.
Prosecutors said the car had collided with another vehicle as it was being stolen.
Belfast Magistrates Court was told the teenager was arrested three days later and at first denied driving the car or even being in west Belfast at the time.
Entering a plea on his behalf, a defence solicitor argued that he was "not without hope".
The lawyer added: "Unfortunately Sean is from an area where peer pressure speaks volumes. He's easily influenced."