When a teenager high on lighter fuel and alcohol stole a tractor and trailer, police gave chase with sirens blaring before using handcuffs to restrain the young man.

Oliver Thomas McLaren (19) from Beragh, who is described as having 'no fixed abode,' pleaded guilty to a total of 13 charges when he appeared before Omagh Magistrates Court. He received prison terms totalling three years and five months but because many of the sentences will run concurrently, he has in effect been sentenced to nine months in a Young Offenders Centre. McLaren has also been disqualified from driving for three years and fined £900.

The charges included driving while unfit through alcohol and drugs, driving while disqualified and without insurance and taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent. He also admitted being equipped for theft, possession of an offensive weapon, causing criminal damage, theft as well as failing to stop and resisting and assaulting police. McLaren was serving a four-month suspended sentence at the time of some of the offences. That term was enforced by the magistrate.

The court was told police were called to McLaren's family home on Christmas day after he had broken two windows in the house. He was 'drunk' and highly aggressive when the PSNI attempted to arrest him. One of the police officers received bruising to his leg during the incident.

Defence solicitor Fergal Logan said the row began as a disagreement regarding the microwaving of Christmas lunches and was "unfortunately at an emotive time". Mr Logan further described the family situation as "difficult and fragmented" and pointed out that it has not yet been healed although the defendant has since paid restitution for the damage he caused.

Three months later, McLaren stole the tractor and trailer and the owner followed him while keeping the police informed by mobile phone. The police then gave chase using sirens and flashing lights in an attempt to get McLaren to stop. He had to be forcibly removed from the tractor and handcuffed.

The officers found two screwdrivers in the cab of the tractor which did not belong to the owner. In interview, McLaren admitted he had been drunk and was inhaling lighter fuel while driving the vehicle. He told the police officers he was living in a tent at the time of the incident.

McLaren told the court through his solicitors he "regretted all the offences" and they were influenced by his abuse of alcohol.