Early release housebreaker was just dead drunk

But this time, 24-year-old Paul Barlow was not on a crime mission - he was just dead drunk, the court was told on Thursday, February 27.
Ann Sawyer-Brandish, prosecuting, said: “He was knocking on a front door and trying to get into a house. He had no reason to be there. It turned out he was extremely intoxicated and when police officers arrived he brgan to swear loudly until he was arrested.”
Mr Barlow, of Wordsworth Road, Thatcham, admitted being drunk and disorderly in Hopwood Close, Newbury, on February 9 this year.
In July 2011 he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for a string of burglaries but was released early on licence.
Stephen Collins, defending, said Mr Barlow had co-operated fully with probation officers and had impressed them with his efforts to turn his life around.
He added: “They have said they will give him a written warning and not recall him to prison. He has work as an apprentice carpenter and had some money in his pocket. He was celebrating a friend’s birthday and created a bit of a nuisance. He is sincerely sorry.”
Mr Barlow was fined £75 with £85 costs and statutory surcharge of £20.
Presiding magistrates Antoinette Jackson told him: “Get a grip - you can’t afford to put another foot wrong.”