A JOYRIDER has been hit with a hefty bill after he damaged a car he took without the owner's consent.

William Michael Rae, 34, unlawfully drove off in the Audi Q7 parked up in Washford.

But before it was recovered, the vehicle was damaged.

Rae, of Bircham Road, Minehead, was ordered to pay the owner £4,978.02 compensation to cover the repair bill.

He was also told to carry out 80 hours unpaid work as part of a community order imposed at Taunton Magistrates' Court.

Rae pleaded guilty in court on Friday to the offence committed on November 14 last year

He was excused having to pay a victim surcharge as magistrates ruled the compensation takes priority.

He received no separate penalty for offences of driving without the correct licence and for driving without insurance, but received three penalty points for the latter.