Two men arrested for sawing clamp off a car to get to date on time.

Two pals were caught using a circular power saw to cut a wheel-clamp off a BMW so one of them could get to a date on time.

A court heard that Allah Yarr, 24, had travelled to Manchester city centre from his home in Halifax, West Yorkshire, for the date when his vehicle was clamped by the DVLA.

By "sheer coincidence" his friend Andrew McDonagh, 43, was in Manchester at the same time and "went to his aid," the Manchester Evening News reports.

Robin Lynch, prosecuting at Manchester magistrates court, said a passing police patrol saw "sparks" flying from the front offside wheel of the BMW on Deansgate at 10.15pm on Monday, March 2.

Yarr, of Parkinson Lane, was in the driver's seat and McDonagh had a petrol-powered Stihl power saw.

The clamp was said to be worth £100.

Mr Lynch said: "Police out on patrol, travelling along Deansgate, saw sparks coming from the front offside wheel of a BMW."

The court heard Yarr's date had left when the pair decided to saw off the clamp.

Both were arrested and pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

Yarr also admitted driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.

Nnamdi Inegbu, defending, said both Yarr and McDonagh apologised for their actions.

They are good friends who have known each other for a long time, he said.

Mr Inegbu said Yarr was in Manchester on a date and "by sheer coincidence" he was called by McDonagh, who was also in Manchester and asked him where he was.

He said: "He explained to him what had happened.

"Mr McDonagh came to his aid.

"The date had left prior to his [Yarr's] attendance and that is when they took the decision to take the lock off.

"They say that the lock was still in a useful function but they accept that there may have been some minor damage."

Mr Inegbu added that Yarr was insured, but for business purposes only.

He has no previous convictions.

McDonagh, of Wakefield Road, Lightcliffe, Halifax, is on benefits and has 40 previous convictions for 92 offences, the court was told.

He was fined £110 with court costs of £85 and a £50 compensation order.

Yarr was fined £240 with costs of £85 and a £50 compensation order.

His licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

Both were also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20.