A Frank Spencer mimic who took a police radio and clogged the airwaves with comic impersonations has been spared a jail sentence.

Nathan Stack, 21, said he had been drunk at the time and regretted his actions.

Magistrates ordered him to carry out 160 hours of community service instead of sending him to prison.

Stack, a gap-toothed university student, found the radio at a petrol station.

He interrupted police frequencies in the Worthing area in August with catchphrases memorised from the cult Seventies television show Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em.

He pleaded guilty last month to charges of theft and sending false messages under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 and was warned he faced jail.

The court heard how Stack, an assistant team leader for The Prince's Trust, tuned into police frequencies twice an evening for a week and mimicked lines by Spencer, who was played by Michael Crawford.

They included "Ooh Betty" and "Goodbye little fairies, I must leave on the double, I would like to stay for one more day but I'm in a spot of trouble".

Peter Lytle, prosecuting, said Stack was collared after his car was stopped by police on suspicion of speeding and he said "Can I help you officer?" in a voice impersonating Frank Spencer.

The officer recognised the voice and arrested Stack after a search of his car uncovered the radio beneath a seat.

Mr Lytle said Stack had a "fairly comprehensive list of convictions", including taking a vehicle without authority and drink driving.

Stack, of York Gardens, Littlehampton, who defended himself, told magistrates he regretted taking the radio.

He said: "Basically I was stupid. I was drunk and if I had been sober I wouldn't have done it and would have handed the radio in.

"I want to go to university and get on with my life. I don't want to keep being in court."

He said The Prince's Trust had suspended him for two weeks after he told them what he had done.

Sentencing Stack, magistrate Richard Old told him: "It could have been very serious but we think you know that. We don't want to see you again. Good luck with your course."

Stack was also ordered to pay a £60 contribution towards prosecution costs.

After the case, the defendant, who is in his second week of studying electronic engineering at the University of Brighton, said the case had not put him off the cult character.

He said: "I'll still watch my DVDs of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. This is a story I'll be able to tell my grandchildren."

Inspector Alan Lowe, from Worthing police, said: "It is very rare we have somebody interrupting police communications in this way.

"But it could have had very serious consequences and lives could have been put at risk."

Stack had failed to turn up in court on Tuesday for sentencing and magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest. But it was withdrawn when he turned up in court yesterday before the warrant could be executed.