A man has admitted jumping the fence of a North Albury home and stealing a car while on a "drug-fueled bender".
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On the evening of December 9, Albury man Connor Aiken stole a new key the victim had obtained for his Ford Falcon BA XR6.
The car was later recovered and towed by Albury police, but the key was not recovered.
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The next day, about 7.30pm, the victim parked his car outside his unit in Gulpha Street, shutting a gate but not locking the vehicle.
Police have told Albury Local Court the car was stolen before 2.40am the following day.
Aiken, 20, pushed the car out of the driveway before using the key to start it and drive away.
He drove into a Caltex service station on Wagga Road, Lavington, to get fuel.
But the cashier operator became suspicious so did not turn on the bowser.
He then pulled into a nearby Shell service station, where he obtained $44 in fuel before the line was shut off.
He left without paying.
Aiken was arrested on December 19 at Wagga police station, where he admitted he had been on a "drug-fueled bender".
Defence lawyer Mitchell Irwin said Aiken had mental health issues and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
"He has struggled with drug use for some time," he said.
"He obviously regrets his actions."
Magistrate Richard Funston told Aiken the reality was "if you don't get off the drugs you will be spending a lot of time in custody".
Aiken pleaded guilty to take or drive conveyance without consent of owner, larceny and two drive while disqualified charges.
He was placed on an 18-month community corrections order.
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