A would-be thief asked passers-by in Paddock for advice on how to hot-wire a car, a court heard.

But when no advice was forthcoming the man instead let the handbrake off and the car rolled into a wall.

Kirklees Magistrates heard how defendant Karl Freudemann, 32, came across an unlocked white Vauxhall Corsa when it was parked near his home in Brook Street on June 18.

Prosecutor Abdul Shakoor told the court the vehicle had been parked for around an hour when the defendant came across it.

He said: “The defendant arrived on Brook Street and saw the Corsa parked there.

“He was heard saying ‘the idiots left it unlocked’.”

He was then heard to ask: “Do you know how to hot-wire a car?

Mr Shakoor told the court the witness then went inside and phoned police.

Upon his return he found the car had come to rest against a wall.

The court heard a description of the suspect was circulated and police arrested Freudemann.

He was subsequently charged with vehicle interference.

He later failed to answer bail on July 12.

The court heard the defendant had struggled with alcohol problems which had escalated since his loss of employment 18 months ago.

Magistrates sentenced Freudemann to a nine months community order with six months alcohol treatement requirement.

He was fined 50 and ordered pay a victim surchage of £85.