A man who told District Judge Paul Clark at Truro that he wanted to go to prison, because he could not cope with life outside, had his way when he was sent down for ten weeks.

Brodie Rippingale, aged 27, of Kimberley Park Road, Falmouth, pleaded guilty to stealing drink worth £4 from Tesco on April 28 and to possessing amphetamine.

He also admitted breaching a suspended sentence.

Alison May, for the CPS, said he told police after he was arrested: “I did it so I could get arrested and go to jail.”

He had previous convictions.

Deborah Von Kohler, his solicitor, said in prison he had a chance to get clean of drugs which he could not do outside. Rippingale told the judge: “I don’t mean to make a mockery of your court.

“My life has just become so hopeless, living in a squat where there is a lot of thieving and violence, and I have just given up.

Prison is a horrible place and I am not a tough character but at the moment I just feel absolutely hopeless and don’t know what to do, where to go or where to turn. I want some help.”

After inquiries were made through the probation service and a drugs welfare organisation, the judge decided he would activate the suspended sentence of ten weeks.