A Crossgates teenager, who repeatedly jacked up cars and used power tools to remove catalytic converters, has landed himself in more trouble by failing to complete his unpaid work.

Logan Turner, 19, had been ordered to pay back more than £5000 in compensation to car owners for damage to their vehicles and told to do unpaid work.

However, he appeared from custody at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for breaching his community payback order.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said his client had shown a “degree of immaturity”.

He went on: “Just to be clear, he doesn’t want to go to jail. Even after spending a night in custody, the first thing he said to me today was ‘When am I getting out?’”

Turner had apparently made his position worse by comments to social workers about not being bothered about going to jail but his solicitor put this down to “bravado”.

Mr Morrison added: “He’s had a flea in his ear from me.”

The court heard Turner had done less than 50 of the 200 hours of unpaid work imposed in January.

Sheriff Francis Gill told Turner: “Your attitude has been extremely poor.”

However, he said he would give him another chance to comply with the order and his progress will be reviewed on August 9.

Most of the vehicles targeted were at park and ride sites.

On one day alone, three vehicles were targeted by Turner, of Hillview Place, Crossgates.

The eight thefts took place between March 29 and May 21, with vehicles being targeted at Halbeath Park and Ride, Ferrytoll Park and Ride in Inverkeithing, Hope Street in Inverkeithing, and Primrose Lane in Rosyth.

The total cost for the repairs to the vehicles was £5154.

In January, Sheriff Peter Anderson ordered Turner to pay £5154 in compensation. He also imposed a community payback order with 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 months of supervision.

Police across the UK have warned motorist about the rise in thefts of catalytic converters, often targeted for the precious metals contained inside.