When Stuart Thompson was arrested by police for multiple driving offences, his response was: "I'm in loads of trouble," it's my step father's van."

At Haverfordwest magistrates court yesterday (Tuesday), Thompson, currently living in Brookes House bed and breakfast on London Road, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to taking a vehicle without consent, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, refusing to provide a breath sample and failing to stop when required by a police officer.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan described how police were attending to a broken traffic light in Johnston around 2am on Sunday, November 1st, when they spotted a white van pulling up at the Snax 24 petrol station.

"He went and spoke to the shop assistant then reversed and drove out," said Ms Morgan.

"His driving was erratic and it appeared he was driving with the handbrake on.

"The shop assistant told police he appeared drunk and was enquiring about a pump as his front and near side tyre was deflated."

Thompson then drove around a police officer attempting to halt him. His van was eventually found unoccupied at St Mary's Park, Jordanston.

Officers saw a man running up a lane and shouted at him to stop. He did so, admitted he'd been driving the van and that he'd been drinking.

He then told police to act quick as he'd set the van on fire, the court heard.

A small fire was extinguished before Thompson,aged 26, admitted the van was not his and after revealing he'd drunk four cans of lager, refused a road side breath test.

Further police checks confirmed he also had no insurance or driving licence.

Defence lawyer Alun Morgan said his client had been honest with police, and that he had been essentially "dog sitting" for his partner's parents when the incident occurred.

"He simply went out to get more cigarettes," he said. "When he saw police there he panicked and realises what he did was extremely foolish."

Mr Morgan added the case had already had a "devastating effect" on his client.

"He has been asked to leave the property where he was living and been told by his partner their relationship is over.

"She has also stopped him from having contact with their three children.

"He is now suffering from depression and is drinking on a daily basis and struggling to come to terms with what he's done."

The presiding magistrate adjourned sentencing for Wednesday, December 23rd, following a pre sentence report. She warned Thompson he faced custody or a high community order.