A TEENAGER has been ordered to pay back more than £5,000 in compensation to car owners for damage to their vehicle.

Logan Turner jacked up cars repeatedly and used power tools to remove catalytic converters.

Most of the vehicles targeted were at park and ride sites in West Fife.

On one day alone, three vehicles were targeted by 18-year-old Turner.

Turner, whose address was read out in court as Hillview Place, Crossgates, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court having admitted a string of offences previously, all relating to the theft of catalytic converters.

The eight separate thefts took place on the following dates and locations:

Between March 29 and April 10, at Halbeath Park and Ride, he stole a catalytic converter.

Between April 6 and 13, at Ferrytoll park and ride, Inverkeithing.

Between May 16 and 20, at Hope Street, Inverkeithing.

Between May 17 and 20, at Ferrytoll Park and Ride.

On May 18, at Halbeath Park and Ride.

On May 18, at Primrose Lane, Rosyth, he jacked up a vehicle and began to grind the exhaust, and attempted to steal a catalytic converter.

On May 18, at Halbeath Park and Ride.

And between May 9 and 21, at Halbeath Park and Ride.

Depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf said the total amount for the repairs to the vehicles was £5,154.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said his client’s position was that he was “helping a friend”. He added: “He doesn’t seem to have thought things through.”

Mr Morrison said Turner would sell motorbikes he owns so that he can pay the compensation.

He went on: “He seems to be a little bit immature for 18 and depends on his mother a lot. I’ve told him he’ll have to stand on his own two feet.”

Sheriff Peter Anderson told Turner he had his whole life in front of him but added: “You’re doing your best by this sort of behaviour to make that future a bleak one.”

The sheriff said he would put some of the actions down to “stupidity and being led astray by others”.

The sheriff ordered Turner to pay £5,154 in compensation. He also imposed a community payback order with 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 months of supervision.

Police across the UK have warned motorist about the rise in thefts of catalytic converters, often targeted for the precious metals contained inside.