"What do you mean?": Burglar too drunk to understand homeowner's question when asked why he was breaking into his house

Peter Thornton had downed a bottle of vodka after his six-year relationship ended and broke into the property on Whitwood Common Lane, Castleford.

Leeds Crown Court heard the victim arrived home at around 10.40pm on November 15 this year to find Thornton leaning inside the kitchen window at the back on the property.

The kitchen blinds had been pulled out and were left on the floor in the back garden.

Elizabeth Noble, prosecuting, said the owner confronted Thornton and said: "What the f*** are you playing at?"

Thornton, 38, then responded with his puzzled reply.

He called police who arrested Thornton a short time later.

Officers said he was clearly under the influence of either drink or drugs.

CCTV footage from a neighbouring property showed Thornton was in the garden for more than 90 minutes.

A half-drunk bottle of tonic water found at the scene also contained his finger prints.

Thornton gave no comment when interview but later pleaded guilty to burglary

Thornton has eight convictions for 11 offences, but has not been in trouble since 2012.

That night he had been staying at his mother's address, but his sister arrived and asked him to leave and he found himself in the garden of the property without an explanation.

Ms Roth-Sharma said: "He is absolutely embarrassed to find himself in this situation.

"He is not a burglar and has no need to burgle properties but he was not thinking straight at the time of the offence.

"He is genuinely full of remorse and regret."

A probation report suggested that Thornton would turn to strong alcoholic drinks in difficult situations.

Judge Tom Bayliss QC told Thornton: "Even though you won't admit it you have a terrible drink problem, it's drink that's caused you to behave in that way.

"It's still a burglary and the effect is quite significant. Every burglary is an invasion of people's space, and those who commit burglaries must take the consequences."

However, he said there were factors that would allow him to draw back from a custodial sentence.

Thornton was given a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 compensation to the victim.