A MAN stole his friend's car to go and buy drugs.

Joseph Arnold took his friend's car from her home in Totton after she invited him to spend the night.

But when she woke up the next morning, Arnold had disappeared alongside her handbag, phone, car keys and car, a court heard.

Her bag and phone were later dropped off at her work but after the car wasn’t returned, the theft was reported to police.

The 31-year-old, of Haltons Close, Totton, was arrested after the Ford Mondeo he stole was picked up on a camera.

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When Arnold was stopped, police found a “meat clever” tucked into the side of the driver’s seat.

A drug swipe also revealed he was under the influence of cocaine.

For the offences in November last year, he breached a community order he had been given for stabbing a man during an attack in Calmore, the court heard.

Daily Echo: Southampton Crown Court. Southampton Crown Court.

Prosecution barrister, Ed Elton told the court how Arnold has 15 previous convictions for 28 offences, including making off without payment, taking a car without permission and shoplifting.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of drug driving, taking a vehicle without consent, possession of a bladed article and breaching a community order.

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Turning up late to Southampton Crown Court on Friday, Arnold wept in the dock as his defence barrister, Christopher Pix, told about his late father’s passing.

Mr Pix added: “He apologises to the court for being late.

“This is a man who was quite seriously addicted to drugs. He has taken steps and is now clean for almost three months.”

The court heard how Arnold had taken his friend's car to go looking for drugs, something Mr Elton said was a “breach of [his friend’s] trust”.

Judge Nicholas Rowland said he could not avoid imposing a jail sentence.

He jailed Arnold for nine months and extended his 12-month driving ban by four months and two weeks.

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