by Lynn Cox

A young father-to-be has admitted stealing a bike... because he couldn't be bothered to walk to community service.

Scott Noakes, 22, pleaded guilty to taking the bike which belonged to Stephen Broadfoot - taken from the Trinity Foyer in Church Street, Maidstone.

The foyer provides support and accommodation for people aged 16 to 24 and Noakes, of South Park Road, took the pedal bike there on October 24.

He appeared before Maidstone Magistrates' Court earlier this week where he also admitted failing to comply with the requirements of a community order which he was given at the same court in February this year.

Part of the community order required him to carry out unpaid work in the community and attend regular appointments with probation.

The court heard how Noakes had completed about 190 hours of his unpaid work requirement, had failed to turn up to his appointments with his probation officer.

In court, Noakes, who was unrepresented said: "It was silly, but at the time I needed to get to and from community service.

"I should have asked if I could take it."

Magistrates decided to give Noakes a six-month conditional discharge for stealing the bike and also ordered him to carry out 30 more hours of unpaid work for the failure to comply with his community order.

He was also ordered to pay £95 court costs.

Chair of the bench Peter Ludgate, said: "At least you acknowledge your stupidity.

"It's a shame you are here today - it was totally avoidable.

"We are being lenient with you so you can get on with your life - you have a baby on the way so stop taking bikes without asking."