An Ipswich man who grabbed the keys to a car after a drunken night out before crashing it into two other vehicles has been jailed.

Ipswich Star: Liam Vinyard who was jailedLiam Vinyard who was jailed (Image: Archant)

Liam Vinyard, of Coltsfoot Road, pleaded guilty before Ipswich magistrates to aggravated vehicle taking, criminal damage, and having no licence or insurance in Mallard Way.

The 23-year-old also admitted failing to answer bail on December 29, and breaching a community order on May 10, which he was given last year for theft of a motor bike.

Prosecutor Tess Mann said Vinyard and some friends went to a party on August 22 last year where they were drinking.

At around 1am one of the friends left leaving their car keys at the house as he felt he had consumed too much alcohol to drive.

Vinyard had been drinking vodka and fell asleep.

At around 3.30am he awoke and flipped over a table, smashed cups and glasses, and then punched a mirror causing the glass to smash and cut his hand.

Vinyard then kicked a door at the bottom of the stairs.

A woman was holding the car keys which belonged to the man who left his car at the address.

Mrs Mann said Vinyard argued with her trying to get the keys, which he then succeeded in doing.

He got into the Vauxhall Astra, started the engine and reversed up the road.

The court heard the owner of a Renault Clio was awoken by his mother and looked outside to see the nearside of his car had been scrapped and damaged.

Another car parked in the road, a Vauxhall Zafira was also damaged.

Its owner was awoken around 5.30am by the sound of a revving engine and then heard a loud bang followed by a screech of tyres.

Vinyard’s DNA was found on the ignition of the Astra.

After being arrested and bailed he failed to return to the police station on December 29.

The court was told Vinyard was also convicted of aggravated vehicle taking in 2009.

John Hughes, mitigating, said his client had been drinking and had little recollection of the latest incident.

He added Vinyard had recently been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of his best friend drowning in a reservoir six or seven years ago.

Magistrates jailed Vinyard for a total of 14 weeks, and disqualified him from driving for 12 months.

He was also ordered to pay a total of £1,260 in compensation to the owners of the three vehicles.