A TEENAGER was sentenced to six months in a young offenders’ institute after forensics found a print on a trainer he left as he ran from a scene of a collision involving a stolen moped.

Joseph Hoadley, 18, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to taking pleaded guilty to taking a motor vehicle without consent at Medway Magistrates’ Court yesterday (23 December).

The court heard that two mopeds were stolen from the victim's garage in Dudley Road, Gravesend on November 24.

Entry had been gained via a hole made in the roof and a Piaggio T5 and a Lambretta GP200, were missing.

Later on police attended and house to house enquiries resulted in the missing Piaggio being recovered in Maritime Gate.

The following day officers attended a road traffic collision on London Road in Northfleet.

A Lambretta GP200 motorcycle was involved in the collision but the rider ran from the scene. However, crucially, he left a trainer behind which was sent for forensic tests.

DNA identification proved it was Joseph Hoadley and he was located and arrested on Sunday 22 December.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable William Looker of Kent Police, said: ‘This was a good example of how we will use all available tools at our disposal to bring those responsible to justice.

"We obtain DNA from a variety of sources and this shows the lengths we will go to piece together evidence to track down the culprits.

"Hoadley must now contemplate his actions locked up over the Christmas period and I hope he uses it to reflect on the misery he caused his victim.

"I also hope this serves as a warning to those thinking of committing crime over the festive period: we will do everything in our power to ensure Gravesend remains a safe place to live and work.’