Madrid - A Spanish judge has ordered an illiterate young thief to learn to read and write as punishment for his crimes, Spanish media reported Friday.

The 17-year-old, who lived in a village in the southern province of Granada, was convicted of stealing a dog, but returned it on request.

It was discovered during the trial that he was illiterate, despite having attended school until age 11.

"These boys are cannon fodder, vulnerable" and exposed to bad influences, said judge Emilio Calatayud, who ordered the thief to take a six-month literacy course.

Spain has a literacy rate of about 98 per cent.

Judge Calatayud is known for his original sentences. Youngsters who burned garbage containers were ordered to work as firefighters on week-ends, and a young man who drove his motorcycle in a state of drunkenness had to visit people who had become paralysed in traffic accidents. (dpa)