A teenager created a "domino effect" of damage after she smashed her friend's car into a parked vehicle and wrote it off.
Lana Carmody, 18, caused thousands of pounds worth of damage on February 28 this year after she crashed her friend's car when popping out to buy a loaf of bread - despite having no insurance or a driving licence. As well as her friend's car, three other vehicles were damaged in the incident.
On Tuesday, Carmody, of Stanley Street, Sunderland, appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court to be sentenced for aggravated vehicle taking and driving without a licence or insurance.
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Greg Flaxen, prosecuting, said: "The defendant took a Seat vehicle belonging to her friend and drove that vehicle and crashed into a parked car, causing damage. Three vehicles, as well as the car she was driving, were damaged." Mr Flaxen said Carmody caused £4,000 damage to one car and left it a "total write off". A second car which was hit caused £5,000 worth of damage and a third vehicle to be hit caused over £1,600 worth of damage.
The court heard Carmody was of previous good character and was interviewed in a police van shortly after the incident. She made "full admissions" during the interview and was "clearly very upset".
Sandra Fife, defending, said one victim was "paid out in total" from insurance and another victim "refused to engage in the situation". She said: "She is an average young girl who took the decision and didn't have any idea of the seriousness. She was driving to the shop and lost control and has been very unfortunate, there's been a domino effect." Mrs Fife added: "She was very frank with police and insists it was her decision. She's going to pay a massive price insurance wise."
A probation report heard how Carmody had left in the car in order to buy bread from a shop and has "no alcohol or drug issues" and is in full time employment working in a call centre.
District Judge Zoe Passfield sentenced Carmody to a 12 month community order and ordered her to complete 150 hours unpaid work. She was banned from driving for 12 months and must pay £85 costs and a £95 surcharge.
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