Two teenagers stole a £1,500 go-kart because they had a grudge against their boss, a court heard.

Bradley Bryant, 19, of Finsbury Close, Broadfield, and Shem Jones, 18, of Woodfield Road, Northgate, hoped to embarrass a supervisor at the Go Karting For Fun Centre in Gatwick Road, Crawley.

But the duo ended up losing their jobs and were ordered to carry out community service by Crawley magistrates yesterday.

Both had pleaded guilty to stealing the go-kart at the end of June.

Prosecutor Richard Lynn said the kart was later recovered by police hidden in a clump of bushes in the Northgate area of Crawley after receiving an anonymous call from the defendants revealing its whereabouts.

Questioned by police, Bryant and Jones said they had taken the vehicle because they felt they were being unfairly treated by a manager.

Defending solicitor Geoff White said: "Although it was a relatively high value item, there was no financial gain. They had not meant to permanently deprive the owners.

"It was a misguided prank intended to embarrass a super-visor they felt was belittling them.

"Unfortunately, the route they took has lost them jobs they both liked and led them to court."

Bryant was given 40 hours community service with £75 costs, while Jones was sentenced to 50 hours community service and ordered to pay £75 costs.