A heroin addict found slumped at the wheel of a stolen car took off in a panic and crashed into a van after being spotted by passers-by, a court heard.

Anthony McDonald, 27, of Merevale Road, Hollingdean, Brighton, then took a handful of pills. The defendant was found by two men who thought the red Volvo looked suspicious parked in a field entrance at Buckham Hill, near Lewes.

Ann Toynbee, prosecuting, told Hove Crown Court yesterday McDonald came to with a start when they tried to rouse him.

He suddenly reversed the car, crashing into the Ford Transit van the men had parked behind.

Miss Toynbee said: "The two men detained him and called the police. McDonald then took a handful of pills from a bottle.

"He then asked to go to the toilet but tried to run off across the field after he was let out of the car.

"Because there was concern about the drugs he had taken, McDonald was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital at Haywards Heath. He was not fit to be interviewed for two days."

Miss Toynbee said plastic bags in the car contained items which had been stolen from a house in Isfield and from the village hall.

McDonald could not remember the burglaries because he was high on drugs at the time.

He admitted committing the burglaries on September 21 and a charge of aggravated vehicle taking. He asked for another burglary to be taken into consideration.

Judge Guy Anthony adjourned sentence until January 16 so McDonald could be assessed for a drugs rehabilitation programme. He was bailed on condition he lived at his home and observed a curfew between 7pm and 7am.