A drug addict who begged police to jail him so he could continue drug treatment was turned down -so he broke a car window and turned himself in.

Chelmsford magistrates heard that serial offender Jordan Lee Meers, 22, currently serving at Chelmsford prison, but with an address in Ipswich, went into Braintree police station on the night of August 21-22 and asked to be arrested.

Jonathan Longman, prosecuting, said: "He wanted to return to prison so he could continue treatment.

"Then he went to Sainsbury's car park in front of Braintree police station and smashed a car window causing £250 of damage.

"He phoned police to state that he had committed the offence and went to the police station again, where he was arrested for criminal damage.

"He stated that he would continue to commit offences until he was remanded in custody. He showed no remorse for causing the damage. He has 29 convictions from 61 offences."

Meers admitted the offence, and representing himself, said: "I'm clean off drugs now and that's all I wanted.

"I'm sorry that I caused damage to someone's car. I thought it was the only way I could go to prison and I'm sorry I did."

Meers told the court that he had a labouring job lined up for when he leaves custody.

Magistrates imposed a 12 month community order for the criminal damage and ordered him to 40 hours of unpaid work.