Jobless David Justin Mackenzie, formerly of Glendale in Amble but now of no fixed abode, lost his temper during a verbal dispute which took place at Straffen Court, Amble, on October 23.

He vented his anger on a Vauxhall Corsa parked nearby, with a screwdriver he had in his possession.

Appearing before Alnwick Magistrates Court, the 28-year-old repeat offender was jailed for 60 days and made the subject to a two-year Asbo.

He pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the car and also to theft from the town's Co-op store on Queen Street on February 14.

Mackenzie was produced from custody, having been on remand at Durham Jail since failing to surrender to the court on February 27.

Prosecutor James Long said: "The owner of the car left it parked at Straffen Court.

"At around 7.10pm, the defendant was seen walking past, and a little while later he became involved in a verbal altercation with another person.

"He then smashed the headlight and a rear window with the screwdriver, causing £100 worth of damage.

"On February 14, Mackenzie was seen by staff at the Co-op store taking food from the shelves, including two sandwiches and a bottle of orange juice.

"He began eating and drinking, and was challenged, but said he wanted to be locked up by the police. He wanted to be arrested because he was starving"

Defending, Richard Scott said Mackenzie had benefited from 20 days in prison and asked the magistrates to jail him for a further period.

"If he is released from prison today, he will be back on the streets with no help. While he's been inside, he's had no drink, no drugs and no cigarettes, and he's feeling better for it," he said.