AN UNEMPLOYED man spent the summer stealing cars from surfers who left their keys hidden near the vehicles, a court heard.

Peter Edwards Saunders, 32, of Derby Road, Bournemouth, who pleaded guilty to three charges of taking vehicles without consent, asked for Bournemouth Magistrates to take another 14 offences into consideration.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing £130 cash, which was left with a vehicle and a charge of driving without insurance.

Saunders, who has been convicted eight times previously on 53 offences, including 24 of fraud and 23 of theft, took the cars between July and October this year.

Prosecutor Tim O'Sullivan said Saunders was caught by police on October 12 when a member of the public reported seeing him leaving a car parked at the roadside with keys in the ignition.

Mr O'Sullivan said: "Police inquiries showed the car had been stolen the previous Friday when the owner parked while surfing. The keys had been left hidden next to the vehicle with £130, which was also taken."

Defence counsel for Saunders, Gregory Rigler, said his client was now actively seeking work but was currently on benefits.

Chair of the bench, Patricia Hartmann, imposed a 100-hour community punishment order and also an order that he spends a year under the supervision of a probation officer.

Saunders' licence was also endorsed.