"For the want of a better word, he can be a bit of a scamp."

Defence counsel, Aubrey Sampson

He is facing a backlog of similar charges and has already admitted stealing a car and driving while disqualified but the courts are powerless to jail him until he turns 12 next month.

It has been reported that at just 4ft 6in tall, he has to stand up to drive because he is too small to see out when he is in the driver's seat.

The youth had three security guards towering over him when he made his appearance at Cardiff Youth Court.

His parents sat behind the schoolboy as he heard the latest allegations against him.

Police have said the boy is a serial vehicle thief

A 15-year-old schoolgirl told the court how he was one of three youths who forced their way into her home while her parents were out and stole the keys to the family car.

The vehicle was later found abandoned.

The girl told the court: "I told them someone was in but they called me a liar. They pushed past me.

"I searched them but I didn't think they had taken anything.

"I realised my mum's car key had gone and I rang my father.

"My mum was in hospital and the boys knew she was away from home. Later on I noticed that the car had gone."

The Kia Shuma car was taken and found at midnight after being dumped in the street.

The boy committed crimes while electronically tagged

The boys claimed she invited them in to see her new attic room.

She denied she had asked them in and made up the story to cover it up.

The girl broke down in tears and had to leave the court after giving evidence.

The boy, wearing a blue tracksuit, sat fidgeting and biting his nails during the evidence.

Despite a string of court appearances, the authorities say they are powerless to stop the boy, who normally lives with his mother on a Cardiff housing estate.

A 13-hour nightly curfew and electronic tagging has not prevented him from continually re-offending.

Police say he is the cause of a mini crime wave.

There are no criminal penalties for ignoring curfews

Under legal conditions, he is not even supposed to sit in a vehicle unless accompanied by an adult.

The offences were alleged to have taken place just days after he appeared at the court on previous motoring offences, including dangerous driving.

The two 16 year olds who also appeared were also found guilty of the offences.