Amongst the many gripes I have with the current administration is their reliance on more rules than you could shake a stick at in order to control the citizens of this country.

Said stick would be better wielded on the backside of the little s**t who has just been awarded an ASBO at the tender age of 10, who terrorised his neighbourhood while stealing from his family to buy cannabis and drink.

Despite his age, this little bundle of joy already has criminal convictions for burglary, possessing a knife and causing criminal damage.   He is banned from possessing a "bong" - a water pipe - and other items associated with drugs, having alcohol or being drunk, throwing stones or eggs and possessing a knife or screwdriver in public.

His misdemeanours include threatening a child with a knife, theft, buying cannabis and being persistently abusive. He also damaged cars, threatened neighbours, smashed fences and assaulted his family and stole his mother's mobile phone, his father's Playstation and his grandfather's car stereo to feed his habits. He regularly stole cigarettes and drank alcohol.

His charming mother said outside court that she didn't really want an Asbo for him as since he was put on an anger management drug three months ago he has not got into any trouble.

She is concerned that the Asbo could make things worse if he is now goaded by older children who, she says, have led him into trouble. She said it would also put pressure on her and husband.

She added: "I do feel guilty because I feel as though it is me to blame. I have tried to give him a good upbringing and my husband has pulled him off the streets to avoid trouble but nothing has worked."

His grandmother, said: "He is not just running wild and he's not doing drink and drugs any more and just enjoys the odd cigarette."

I'm sure I am not alone in sympathising with the parents:  their guilt must be awful to bear .. as they themselves were given such good parental guidance by a grandmother who thinks it's OK for her 10 year old grandson to smoke.

Message to Government:   I suggest you try and educate the parents and grandparents.   With these muppets for a family, the kid has no chance.

Once the seed of automotive change is sowed in the fertile ground of my imagination, there is just no holding back.

Fear not though, dear reader, lest you be concerned I have reduced the fleet size by two - I have simply traded one for a another.   But before I spill the beans on the latest acquisition, I do need to set the scene.  

A couple of weeks ago I went to test drive a Mazda RX-8.   Consistent with my new policy of wanting to own interesting / iconic / unique etc. cars, I thought this would be fun and also a more comfortable way of effecting my weekly commute.

Fabulous car.   Superb handling, quick, rev-tastic rotary engine spinning up to 9,250 rpm, well made, very comfortable and surprisingly spacious.   Wacky rear suicide doors and a fully loaded spec meant it was very good value.   Big Mike accompanied me on the test drive and we popped in to see Panther on our way - wanting to play on the lanes of the Lambourn Downs - purely in the interests of seeing what it could do you understand.

We were impressed.   Clearly so was Mrs Panther as we received a text not 5 hours later confirming she had been down to the same Mazda garage and bought one!   Panther himself suggested that next time I take a car for a test drive I don't include their house on the route.   (Mental note to self:  test drive Porshe next time ;-)

Anyway, what of my interest in the RX-8?   Well.... still keen, but.... and it's quite a big but.   My other choice was a Jaguar XK-8.   Nice coupe, good looking, comfy, quite quick, although a bit older.   And I needed to drive one to be sure before I put my money on the Mazda.

I first drove a standard XK.   Oh dear.   What let down.   Slow, stodgy, dull witted handling.   A real disappointment and clearly not for me.    The salesman said that I wanted something a with a bit more 'go' and that I should look at an XKR... but the only one he had in stock had a black interior - which is a no go for me too.

But they did have an XJR.   Pacific Blue, Champagne leather and with a fully stamped up main dealer service history.   And it is quick.  370 BHP.   390 lbft of torque.   5.3 seconds 0-60mph.  Faster than my 911.....

And it is mine.   Deal done, pick it up later this week.

Sorry to see the MINI go, but overall whilst I enjoyed it, it was too bouncy for my commute, where I would prefer something sporting, but more comfortable.   Gratuituous pic below: