A DRUNK man walked into a Barmouth house in the middle of the night and drunk from an opened bottle of whiskey, Dolgellau magistrates heard.

Richard Lloyd Jones, 25, of 32 Y Waun, Harlech pleaded guilty to burglary of a dwelling at 1 Water Street, Barmouth, stealing an open bottle of Jack Daniels.

It transpired that Jones had been drinking heavily and could not remember going out or talking to the neighbour or a police officer who advised him to go home.

CCTV in the town showed that Jones was walking the streets of the town at around 4am. A claim was made for £136 compensation for the damage Jones caused to gain entry into the property.

Richard Williams, defending, said that there was only a small amount of Jack Daniels in the bottle and that his client could not remember anything about the evening or talking to the police officer.

Since the incident, the defendant had been living with his grandparents in Harlech and accepted that he needed help with his alcohol dependency.

The court probation officer interviewed Jones and confirmed that there was a need for intervention.

The magistrates agreed and the chairman Elfed ap Gomer imposed a 12-month community order with three requirements. Jones has to attend a six-month alcohol awareness course, attend 35 thinking skills sessions and carry out 80 hours unpaid work in the community.

Jones has to pay £136 compensation, £85 prosecution costs and £85 victim surcharge at the rate of £10 per week.