A TEENAGER found himself before a court after dodging a £14 taxi fare.

Shane Leech, formerly of Llawr Y Dyffryn in Ruthin, appeared via video link from prison at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon.

The 18-year-old, who told the court he does not currently have an address other than HMP Berwyn, admitted one offence of making off without payment, which happened in Mold.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that on May 28 this year, he engaged the services of a taxi and left it, telling the driver he'd return with payment.

But he then "disappeared" without handing over the £14 fare.

Mike Pugh, defending, told the court that his client was on a Crown Court suspended sentence at the time and was "caught between a rock and a hard place" as he had to attend a probation appointment.

He'd taken the taxi journey so as not to end up in breach of his order but wasn't able to pay the return trip.

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Mr Pugh said: "He accepts making off without payment and had enquired about making reparations, but it's too late for that.

"Since this incident, indeed on September 5, he was sent to custody for nine months for breaching his suspended sentence."

The Magistrates were told that due to the defendant being a serving prisoner at present, their sentencing options were limited.

Mr Pugh asked the court to consider a fine or, ideally due to his client's limited means, a short custodial sentence.

After a short period of deliberation, the Magistrates imposed a one week custodial term to run concurrent to his ongoing jail time.

He must pay £14 compensation for the fare he avoided.