A man who admitted attempted theft and prowling was given a two-year probation order at Magistrates' Court yesterday.

John Cook, 25, of Fourth Avenue, Pembroke, got into a Renault Clio parked outside a home in Devonshire on April 19 last year and made an "untidy search" of the vehicle, prosecutor Auralee Cassidy said. She said the car owner arrived home in the early hours and saw him in the car.

A chase ensued but Cook was able to get away. He was arrested months later thanks to the fingerprints he had left behind. Ms Cassidy said White denied the incident when he was arrested but told Police he might have been drinking and looking for a place to sleep. He admitted the offence in court on January 6.

"There is no evidence that any property was taken from the vehicle," said Ms Cassidy. Acting Magistrate Nicole Stoneham gave Cook a two-year probation order with conditions including a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in the first six months and random urine analysis.