Drunk soldier steals one armoured car, crashes it and steals another

A BRITISH squaddie is under arrest in Germany for allegedly joyriding in two armoured vehicles and running a Military Police patrol off the road.

The 18-year-old soldier was "highly intoxicated", according to German police, when he apparently careered through the gates of the Hohne Barracks in north-western Germany - home to the 7th Armoured Brigade.

The soldier, who is attached to the 9/12 Lancers, is said to have taken the joyride at 4am, after heavy drinking. Reports say he first drove off in an armoured command car, swerving through the chicane at the base entrance, past the astonished guardhouse.

But he reportedly came off the road a few moments later.

With the camp on high alert, the squaddie was then somehow able to take another vehicle - this time a tracked armoured ambulance - and sped off in that. A Royal Military Police patrol that tried to intercept the ambulance was said to have been forced off the road by its driver, who apparently crashed into a tree moments later.

A German police report said the soldier was only slightly hurt but was "very drunk". A police officer added: "Apparently he muttered something about wanting to see green fields and trees."

The soldier is today under arrest, and reports suggest he may face a court martial for the incident.