AN engineer was “off his head” when he smashed into a Woodbridge flat causing thousands of pounds of damage while the occupants were abroad.

AN engineer was “off his head” when he smashed into a Woodbridge flat causing thousands of pounds of damage while the occupants were abroad.

Adam Leek, of High Street, Wickham Market, had been drinking in Woodbridge when he broke into the flat belonging to complete strangers.

Lesla Small, prosecuting at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court, said a neighbour saw the 32-year-old head-butting and kicking the front door.

When police arrived they found Capon unconscious through alcohol. They also discovered 52 milligrams of amphetamine in Capon's possession.

About £5,000 of damage had been caused to furniture in the flat which belonged to John Lingfield, who lived there with his wife and two children but who were abroad at the time.

Capon pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage and to possessing Class B drugs on March 28.

He also admitted making off from a Shell patrol station in Woodbridge without paying £10 on May 21 because “he couldn't be bothered to wait in the queue”.

Michael Stephenson, mitigating, said his client had “no patience”. He said the flat break in was a “rather bizarre” event which Capon could not remember due to his drunken state.

District judge David Cooper heard that Capon had a record for causing criminal damage.

He was sentenced to ten weeks in prison but the term was suspended for a year. He was given a curfew to stay at home between 10pm and 6am for two months.

Capon was also told to pay £600 compensation to Mr Lingfield, £10 to the Shell garage and £65 costs.

Judge Cooper said: “It must have been horrifying to the people whose home you broke into while you were out of your head.

“If you commit any crime in the next year you will go inside.”

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