A SELF-CONFESSED alcoholic broke into a golf clubhouse twice within hours to steal drink, a court heard.

Officials at Consett and District Golf Club were left to tidy up the mess and tally up losses to its funds caused by Stephen Harry Brown’s overnight intrusions, on December 11, last year.

Durham Crown Court was told the 38-year-old defendant, of nearby Medomsley Road, struck at the Elmfield Road premises between 1am and 7am that morning.

Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, said he smashed a window to get in and took bottles of alcohol but returned at about 4am and removed a computer tablet device, activating a security alarm on leaving the premises.

A club official discovered a till was removed from behind the bar, while only two out of eight shorts optics remained in situ and paper was strewn all over the floor.

A tablet left on charge behind the bar was also taken, as were two charity containers and small amounts of money left in envelopes by members for a raffle draw.

Miss Haugstad said the defendant was captured on cctv inside the premises, while samples of his blood were left at the scene.

The official said it had a financial impact on the club, given the limited takings it can make amid the latest lockdown restrictions.

Although the club is covered it will have to pay the excess on the insurance.

It also left her feeling nervous being there on her own during the closure.

She added: “The last thing we needed was for this amount of damage.”

When Brown was interviewed he admitted responsibility and told police he was alcoholic and needed the drink, so he entered the premises twice, but in smashing windows to leave he triggered the alarm.

Brown admitted two counts of burglary.

Liam O’Brien, in mitigation, said Brown has taken, significant strides to rehabilitate himself, but, at the time he relapsed to his former ways due to events in his personal life.

Recorder Carl Gumsley said due to an apparent “significant change” in the defendant’s attitude, in working voluntarily with with a community drug and alcohol team to address his issues, he could suspend the 12-month prison sentence for two years, during which he must engage with the Probation Service on 25 rehabilitation activity days and pay £400 compensation.