A judge was "only too happy to oblige" a man who asked to be jailed to help him cut down on his drinking.

Michael Richmond was given the two-month term in a young offenders' institute that he asked district judge David Cooper to give him yesterday.

The 20-year-old, of Harcourt Avenue, Harwich, was appearing at Colchester Magistrates' Court for sentencing after admitting three charges of criminal damage.

Richmond had been released from prison on licence on April 28, and immediately went out drinking and was seen by a police officer damaging three car wing mirrors.

Judge Cooper had jailed him for 21 days last month for possession of cocaine.

Louise Reader, mitigating, said that Richmond has problems with alcohol and "wants some time to sort his head out".

Sentencing, Judge Cooper condemned his "persistent drink-fuelled offending" and said he was "sorry I didn't give you longer before".

The defendant replied: "Thank you very much."