‘If I knew how to start the car, I would have taken off with it’ said man caught interfering with vehicle in Walsingham

A man caught sitting in a stranger’s car attempting to put the keys in the ignition lied and said he was “taking it for an MOT”.

Sam Cooke, 39, of Westgate Street in Blakeney, was charged with interfering with a vehicle. He was also found with 12.85g of cannabis in his bag.

He pleaded guilty to both offences on Thursday at Lynn’s Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Qamar Iqbal said that on July 22, Cooke was seen in Walsingham sitting in a grey Mitsubishi Colt with the keys.

He was asked what he was doing in the vehicle, and he lied, saying he was taking it for an MOT.

The police were then called and while completing a search of Cooke’s bag, officers found a quantity of the Class B drug cannabis.

In mitigation, George Sorrell described Cooke’s behaviour as “bizarre”.

“He struggles with his mental health and was signed off work,” said Mr Sorrell.

He added: “His first conviction is because of his problem with alcohol, which has now become a problem with drugs.

“He was going through a bad phase which explains his bizarre behaviour.”

Mr Sorrell explained to magistrates that Cooke is seeking help with Change, Grow Live (CGL) for his alcohol and drug dependency.

The solicitor added: “He engaged with police and said ‘if I knew how to start the car, I would have taken off with it’ but he didn’t take the car.”

Magistrates handed Cooke a fine of £120 for interfering with the car and he was fined an extra £80 for having cannabis.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £80.