CAR thieves burnt vehicles to get rid of their fingerprints, a court heard.

Frederick Collins, 22, of Chestnut Lane, Amersham; Kevin Garrett, 19, of Middle Close, Amersham; and a juvenile appeared at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday.

Collins faces sentencing for failing to surrender to bail, driving without insurance and a licence, three offences of arson and five of stealing motor vehicles. Garrett faces sentencing for allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle taken without consent, and three offences of arson. The juvenile, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces sentencing for taking a vehicle without consent, the theft of a car, and two offences of arson.

All had previously pleaded guilty to all charges before Amersham magistrates.

Garrett also asked for one other offence of destroying a motor vehicle by fire to be taken into consideration, and the juvenile asked for five more counts of destroying cars by fire and one of allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle to be taken into account.

Defence solicitors asked for sentencing to be adjourned for psychiatric reports.

Sheila Davies, defending Collins, said he came from a troubled background and the offences were a blur.

She added: "His motivation for setting fire to vehicles was to destroy fingerprints."

Sarah Rudman, defending Garrett, said he also set fire to vehicles to get rid of the evidence.

All three had their conditional bail extended.

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