A FAMILY had to be evacuated from their home after a drink-driver crashed a stolen car into the house, Stafford Crown Court heard.

Extensive structural damage was caused to the property, in Conway Road, Doxey, when a Toyota Yaris driven by Benjamin Dockerty hit it in the early hours of the morning.

The car had been stolen from outside Lisa Brass's house in Stafford.

Ian Pinkney, prosecuting, said the Yaris was spotted by a police patrol moving along Doxey Road without lights.

Dockerty lost control in Conway Road and hit the house.

"The occupiers were awoken by a loud bang and shaking of the house," said Mr Pinkney. "They were evacuated for the night."

Dockerty ran off from the scene, but was caught and handcuffed.

At the time of the crash, on March 16, Dockerty was on bail for another offence of aggravated vehicle taking and a street mugging in Stafford with two other teenagers.

The victim was 43-year-old Adrian Nixon, who was walking home along Lammascote Road in the early hours after finishing work on January 8. He had bought some groceries from Asda when he was attacked from behind and punched to the ground.

When he got up to try to get away, he was knocked down again. His mobile phone, wallet containing £8 and his groceries were stolen.

Involved in the mugging with Dockerty were David Lynch and Luke Pittard.

Mr Nixon was left with a bruised and swollen face and a capped tooth missing.

Dockerty, aged 19, of no fixed address, was sent to youth custody for a total of 44 months. He admitted robbery, burglary, two offences of aggravated vehicle taking, two of having no insurance, two of driving without a licence and one of driving with excess alcohol. He asked for eight other offences of burglary to be considered.

Pittard, aged 18, of Tennyson Road, Stafford, was given 24 months' youth custody and Lynch, aged 18, of Keats Avenue, Stafford, was sentenced to 24 months' detention and training.