A TEENAGER without a driving licence stole a bus from a depot in Powys – and drove it nearly 150 miles to Nottingham.

Zak Byrd, who is 19 but was 18 at the time of the offence, was promised £1,000 in order to travel into Powys and steal the bus, located in a depot in Garth, near Builth Wells.

He was driven to Powys from the Nottingham area and stole the bus, on June 14, 2021, driving it the three-and-a-half hour journey back in the early hours of the morning. He was arrested later that same day when he was spotted driving the bus at a garage in Nottingham.

Byrd admitted aggravated vehicle taking when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 12.

Prosecutor Kevin Challinor told the hearing that police were alerted when the owner of the bus, Nigel Brown, called them on the morning of June 14 to say one had been taken from his depot.

“He said it had last been seen at 9.30pm the previous evening, parked at the back of the depot,” said Mr Challinor.

“Its movements were traced and it was reported that it had entered Nottingham around 3am. Nottinghamshire Police attempted to locate it and later that same day an officer came across the bus on Grantham Road in Nottingham and stopped it at a garage.

“Checks were made and it was confirmed it had a stolen marker on it from Dyfed Powys Police.

“The defendant was on board and was the sole occupant. He was arrested. He said ‘I was told to drive the bus here and that I would get some money for doing it. I knew I shouldn’t have done it. I don’t have a licence and my mum told me not to.

“’They took me to Wales, I got in the car, they dropped me off and I drove it back, along back roads, I left it in Nottingham overnight before moving it today."

When he collected the bus, which was valued at £3,000 to £4,000, Mr Brown noticed damage to a wing mirror and bumper, plus further scratches.

Acting for Byrd, of Mapleton Avenue, Derby, Gareth Walters said: “It’s ironic it is only him before the court, as there were two other males in convoy with the vehicle, but they were interviewed and denied any part in the offending and blamed it all on the defendant.

“He has not seen or heard from them since, which I would say is a good thing for Mr Byrd."

Magistrates ordered a pre-sentence report and probation officer Joe Long told the court that Byrd had been “easily influenced” by his friends, who had told him he would receive £1,000 for the work.

Mr Long said Byrd, who is unemployed but looking for work, had previously worked for a bus firm, shunting buses around a yard.

Byrd was handed an eight-week prison term, suspended for 12 months.

He must also complete 25 rehabilitation days and 150 hours of unpaid work, and pay compensation of £250. He will be disqualified from driving for a year.