A burglar who was found drunk and asleep in a house by an eagle-eyed detective who spotted a ladder leading up to the window had to be placed on a stretcher and lowered down by the fire brigade, the Galway District Court heard this week.
The heavily intoxicated 41-year-old somehow managed to climb the ladder and enter the unoccupied house where he readied items for stealing. However he then helped himself to some wine and fell asleep until his slumber was interrupted by gardai and fire services.
Lithuanian national Arunas Sorokinas with an address at Liscune, Ballymacward, Ballinasloe, was brought before Judge Mary Fahy last Monday where he pleaded guilty to tresspass with intent to commit theft at a house in Manor Court, Knocknacarra, on December 8, 2009.
Inspector Michael Coppinger told the court that at 6am a detective garda Fergus Gaughan had been on his way to work and had driven by the house when he noticed a ladder leading up to a window. He called for assistance before going to investigate. He climbed up the ladder and found the defendant intoxicated and asleep on a couch. There were a number of items interfered with including a video, television, and DVD player and placed in a bag. The inspector said that Sorokinas was extremely intoxicated after “having a go at some wine” that was in the house. The detective garda had to get the assistance of the fire brigade and Sorokinas was placed on a stretcher and lowered down. Gardai were unable to interview the defendant for several hours.
Defence solicitor Valerie Corcoran said that her client had travelled from Ballinasloe and was in Knocknacarra to deliver gifts and visit his girlfriend. However after missing his train home the defendant, who has a history of alcoholism, then met someone and began drinking whiskey. Ms Corcoran said that Sorokinas does not remember the incident.
Inspector Coppinger said that the defendant has 39 previous convictions which include tresspass, theft, and a number of failing to appear in court.
“It’s not your usual burglary,” said Judge Fahy.
Ms Corcoran commented that it was astounding how Sorokinas managed to get up the ladder considering the state he was in even a number of hours later. She added that her client has been in custody since December 9.
“No one was in the house... It’s hard to know his intentions,” said Judge Fahy.
Inspector Coppinger said that it was “worrying” that the defendant had prepared property for stealing. He added that “there was little chance of him getting out again”.
Judge Fahy convicted and sentenced the defendant to five months in jail, backdated to December 9.
