A TEENAGER caught driving a stolen tractor claimed that he was forced to do so after being assaulted by a ‘large Irish man’.

Frank Miley, 18, of South Street, Leominster, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, driving without a licence or insurance when he appeared before magistrates last week.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, said that at midnight on May 1, police received a call from a member of the public claiming people were breaking into the Gatley Estate, near Leominster, and that they could see torch lights and a Vauxhall Vectra parked nearby.

When police officers passed along Mortimer’s Cross Road their attention was drawn to lights on the opposite carriageway. They saw a large vehicle with a bucket on the front and no rear lights.

The police officers turned their car around and chased after the vehicle, Hereford magistrates were told.

“The defendant turned left before jumping from the vehicle whilst it was still moving. It went into a hedge,” said Mr Jones.

“The defendant ran straight over the road and climbed a farmer’s gate before going into a field.

“A police officer chased after Miley and told him he had a police dog which led to the defendant putting his hands up and dropping to the floor.”

Miley was place in handcuffs and said "a paddy hit me in the face and told me to drive to Leominster".

When interviewed Miley said he left his house to sit by the river. He said a transit van approached him before a large Irish man got out and said ‘are you Frank?’.

He then punched Miley in the face and told him to get in the van. He took him to a lay-by where a tractor was parked with its engine running.

Miley told police that the Irish man told him to drive to Leominster before he was stopped by police. He said he ran because he thought the vehicle was stolen.

The tractor, valued at £15,000, was recovered undamaged.

Probation officer Dan Barratt said Miley felt he had no other choice and was forced into the offence.

He told magistrates that Miley was formerly part of the travelling community with his family but was now living in rented accommodation.

Magistrates ordered Miley to complete a 12-month community order including 100 hours of unpaid work.

He was given six penalty points for driving without insurance and must pay an £85 victim surcharge.