Burglar downed 20 pints of 'snakebite' before stealing swords

4:50pm Friday 18th July 2008

A DRUNKEN burglar downed 20 pints of 'snakebite' before kicking his way into a flat occupied by a young family and stealing three Japanese ornamental swords.

Nathan Mekins then sold the swords to a collector for £30 in order that he could buy more drink, Teesside Crown Court head.

Prosecuting, Harry Hadfield said Mekins was captured on CCTV cameras at a nearby supermarket carrying a woman's handbag with one of the swords stuffed down his trousers, following the burglary in Murray Street, Hartlepool.

He said that the young family living there had gone to bed at 1am on May 23 and woke at 6am to find the front door open and the swords and the handbag gone.

After selling the swords Mekins, 18, of Perth Street, Hartlepool, was arrested by police after he was identified on the CCTV pictures.

Police later searched his home and found the stolen items.

Mekins said he had been drunk when he committed the burglary, having had 20 pints of snakebite.

Paul Cleasby, for the defendant, who admitted burglary, said: "He is a young man who is thoroughly ashamed of his actions."

Judge Peter Armstrong heard how Mekins had previously been hailed a local hero after rescuing someone from a house fire and was also taking his FA coaching badges.

The judge said he accepted the offence was out of character and, having had no previous convictions, he was able to avoid sending him to jail.

Mekins was given a 12-month community punishment order, including 200 hours of unpaid work.

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