Less than 24 hours after he was released from prison, a 21-year-old man “did what he's always done” and broke into a car.

Palmerston North District Court heard yesterday that Geoffrey Puhi Walters was sentenced on charges dealt with in Auckland and New Plymouth, having been in custody since November.

About 8am on August 29, he was released from Manawatu Prison.

“The first 14 hours or so, after his release, were OK," lawyer Fergus Steedman said.

"Then round about 10pm on August 29 he met up with some people who he had met on earlier occasions and began to drink.

"They drank through the night,” Mr Steedman said. By 9am on August 30 all Walters could think of was heading north.

“He did what he's always done in situations like that and broke into a car."

Mr Steedman said Walters realised it was impossible to drive to Auckland and that he was too drunk to drive, so got out of the car.

A police summary says after smashing his way into a Honda in The Warehouse Palmerston North car park, Walters stole about $3 in coins and a lighter, then got out.

He was arrested shortly after.

Judge Oake Blaikie was not impressed.

“He had about 15 to 18 hours of freedom. He was drunk for 12 of it.”

Walters admitted a charge of unlawful interference with a motor vehicle and was remanded in custody for sentencing next month.

- © Fairfax NZ News