A unlicensed driver stole a car from outside an Oakes home after drinking.
But Mark Sykes couldn’t have chosen a more conspicuous ride – as it was a bright yellow Ford Ka.
Police swooped on the 29-year-old after his car was flagged up as stolen on motorway cameras.
Yesterday he admitted charges of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, drink-driving, and of using a vehicle without a licence or insurance.
Kirklees magistrates were told that on Monday January 6 the owner of the vehicle parked it outside an address on Burwood Road.
James Weekes, prosecuting, said that she left her keys in the ignition as she planned to be only a few minutes.
When the owner returned she found that her car had vanished.
Mr Weekes said that at just after 2am Sykes was stopped by police on Dewsbury Road at the junction with Syke Lane in Leeds.
The officers knew that the car had been stolen and also suspected that Sykes had been drinking.
Breath tests revealed that he had 54 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath.
The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.
Magistrates heard that he had previous convictions for taking vehicles.
Jonathan Slawinski, mitigating, described the theft as ‘opportunistic’ and said that his client was bound to get caught.
He told magistrates: “It’s a bizarre offence.
“The vehicle is a small, bright yellow car and is easily traceable.
“Police were alerted via the Automatic Number Plate Recognition which triggered it on the motorway as stolen.”
Mr Slawinski said that his client’s mother died last year.
Sykes cared for her at the house in Broadley Avenue, Leeds, and has remained there since her death.
Mr Slawinski said: “Drink has played a part in him trying to get over his mother’s death and played a part in this offence and his decision making.”
Magistrates adjourned sentencing until Friday March 7 for a full report.
They have banned Sykes from driving in the interim.
