A 22-year-old man on a "drug binge" of ecstasy and alcohol stole a van and broke-into a second vehicle, a court has heard.

Devonne Hodgson pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to stealing a van, some razor blades and an 11 mm socket, failing to stop for police and driving without a licence on October 13 this year.

Crown counsel Maria Sofianos told court that a Mitsubishi van belonging to Mark Wheddon of Designer Flowers was parked next to a second white van on Well Bottom Road, Southampton at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 12. However, around 3 a.m. on Monday Police on patrol in the area noticed the van being driven unusually. When they flagged Hodgson down, however, he refused to stop.

The officers followed the van onto Horseshoe Lane where the 22-year-old ran off dropping his LG cell phone on the way. Later that morning around 4 the Police noticed Hodgson wandering around the same area and approached him. Hodgson responded: "Whatever! I was just looking for my phone." When presented with the LG phone the Police had found he replied: "Yes it's my granny's."

After searching his pockets, the officers found the razor blades and an 11 mm socket which had been taken from the second van.

Hodgson, who told court yesterday he lives in-between his mother's and grandmother's homes, then told the officers that he had consumed a large amount of brandy and ecstasy that night. When asked by the Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner if he had been on a drug binge, the 22-year-old said yes, but that he wanted help to turn his life around.

The part-time construction worker said: "I am extremely sorry and no matter what happens I want to get my life back on track. I am just interested in getting my life back or going to a place to get a full-time job. Part-time work ain't helping me. I am making money to buy alcohol and ecstasy."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner said: "I cannot allow you to continue on this binge." He then ordered a social inquiry report and a BARC report for November 28. Mr. Warner also fined Hodgson $100 and seven demerit points for not having a driver's licence and $100 and four demerit points for failing to stop for police.