A dad went on a crime spree in a desperate attempt to pay back his £3,500 housing benefit after spending it on Christmas presents.

Thomas MacDonald, 23, bought the presents for his disabled son and girlfriend instead of handing over the money to his landlord.

And MacDonald, from Aberdeen, raided a number of cars over the festive period in a bid to recoup the money to prevent his family's eviction.

He admitted to several charges at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Thursday.

On Christmas Eve, MacDonald stole a Suzuki Vitara car from a hotel in the city before driving it around the area while disqualified and without insurance.

The vehicle was later found in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire.

MacDonald admitted to forcing his way into a car parked in the Rubislaw Square area of Aberdeen on Christmas Day and stealing a sat-nav device and a handbag.

He also admitted to stealing items from a car in the High Street area of Inverurie on December 27, before being caught trying to break into a property in nearby Kinmuck, Aberdeenshire.

Solicitor Iain Hingston told the court that MacDonald had a difficult family life.

His 14-month-old son was born prematurely with a heart defect and a disability, forcing him into several stays in hospital in Glasgow.

Mr Hingston said that MacDonald was carried away when he received so much money in housing benefit before Christmas.

He said: "In one of his regular crass acts of stupidity, but with some nobility, he spent £3,500 on presents for his son and partner.

"The temptation was too high - the money was there, that led to an instant chain reaction.

"The landlord wanted the money - £2,395 - due to him by the end of December.

"First he said he would be evicted, second that he would be sued and thirdly that the council would be unlikely to consider him for being housed because of how he treated the housing benefit.

"MacDonald reverted to a problem he previously had with misuse of Valium and got himself worked up, having visions of his son being homeless at Christmas.

"He committed a gross series of offences all with a view of getting property that had a saleable value to get money to the landlord."

MacDonald had initially admitted to a number of thefts on Wednesday when he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, and was released on bail.

But he did not even make it out of the building before he was arrested again for more thefts in the same period.

He admitted to a further four charges when he appeared in court on Thursday.

Mr Hingston added: "He recognises there is no credible alternative but a custodial disposal. He is going to have to come out and somehow get control of his life.

"He is always contrite - sometimes for show, to pull the wool over the eyes, but I think today it is genuine."

Sheriff Morag McLaughlin jailed MacDonald for eight months and banned him from driving for four years.