A man with emotional problems got high on alcohol and MCAT and burgled a flat.
Adam Manuel, 27, said he was “on another planet” at the time.
He initially went to the first floor flat in Bradley Road, Wrexham, got in through a window, and asked for a previous tenant who he knew.
Manuel was asked to leave and did so – but had spotted a £600 laptop computer and returned later when the victim was out and stole it after forcing his way in.
Appearing at Mold Crown Court yesterday Manuel, of Montgomery Road, Wrexham, admitted burglary but was spared an immediate prison sentence.
He received a 12 month sentence suspended for two years and was ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.
Manuel was also sent on a future skills course and was ordered to pay £500 compensation.
It was accepted Manuel had a number of problems in October last year and ended up drinking heavily.
Manuel had no previous convictions for burglary. He had pleaded guilty and was remorseful and had an insight into the effect of what he had done.
Kate Meredith-Jones, prosecuting, said the victim found Manuel in his flat after he had got in through a first floor window and asked for a previous tenant.
He was asked to leave and did so. On the way out he picked up the laptop and was told to leave it alone and he said he was “only messing”.
But while the victim and his flatmate went shopping Manuel forced his way in and took the laptop.
Arrested and interviewed, he said he had been drinking all day and had also taken MCAT.
He said he was “on another planet” when he committed the burglary and could not remember it.
Manuel said he had a vague memory of dropping the laptop and had seen it with a cracked screen.
Brian Treadwell, defending, said at the time Manuel was going through a traumatic emotional time and had bereavement issues within his family.
He had also been told a close relative had terminal cancer and he did not cope very well.
Manuel took alcohol and MCAT which did not improve his mental well being.
It was clear from the victim’s statement that during the first visit to the flat Manuel was emotional and tearful.