A MAN has been jailed after he made off in a car - and later stole knives, an axe, six eggs and a bottle of tomato sauce from a house in a separate incident.

Joshua Matthew Tiffin, aged 30, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison at a hearing at Weymouth Magistrates' Court.

He admitted taking a vehicle without the owner's consent, and was found guilty of four charges of possessing a knife or bladed article in public, and theft.

Dorset Police said that the vehicle offence took place at around 8am on Tuesday, January 30. The victim, a man aged in his 40s had left his grey Vauxhall Astra outside his home in Coronation Road in Bridport with the keys in the ignition and engine running while the ice melted on the windscreen.

A witness saw three men near to the vehicle before one of them got in and drove off.

While the victim was on the phone to police, Tiffin returned in the car and challenged him, claiming it was ‘just a joke’.

Tiffin was arrested later that day in Bridport.

Then at around 2am on Sunday, March 4 police in Bridport were called to an address in Princess Road following a report that a number of men were at the property and refusing to leave.

It was also claimed that Tiffin had taken eggs and other items from the fridge as well as knives from the property.

An officer went to stop Tiffin at the communal door to the address but he made off. His jacket came off during the incident and a number of items were recovered including two knives, a small saw, a small axe, six eggs and a bottle of tomato sauce.

Tiffin was located by officers on Wednesday, March 14 and arrested for the bladed article offences and theft.

Inspector Neil Wood, of Bridport police, said: “Joshua Tiffin’s offending has understandably caused concern in the local community and I am pleased that we have been able to bring him before the courts.

“We will continue to take action to target offenders whose behaviour impacts on local residents and will respond to any concerns raised by members of the public.”