A 20-year-old man who committed several motoring offences told police he bought cannabis from Santa Claus, a court heard.

Jake Rowe of Station Close, Fakenham, pleaded guilty to taking a car without consent, driving without insurance and a full licence, criminal damage and possessing cannabis when he appeared at King's Lynn Magistrates' Court.

Fred Sagoe, prosecuting, said Rowe took his former partner's car on January 9. On January 10, he damaged his mother's car. When arrested he had a small amount of cannabis, which he told police he bought from Santa.

Rowe was fined £270 for taking the car without consent, £300 for driving without insurance and £100 for the drug possession. He was handed a 12 month conditional discharge for the damage and ordered to pay £30 victim surcharge and £270 court costs. He was also given a restraining order for six months not to contact his former partner.