A THIEF who had taken a cocktail of drink and drugs caused at least £1,000 of damage to a South Tyneside flat – just because a £20 debt went unpaid.
Kyle McCaffrey smashed every window, damaged two doors and ransacked the inside of the property in Pickering Court, Jarrow, before trying to steal a television and mountain bike.
But he made so much noise that passers-by were alerted and called the police, who found the 22-year-old still inside the flat.
When they asked McCaffrey whether he lived there, he said: “I’m a gangster. Look what I’ve done because I’m owed £20.”
And when the officers arrested him and tried to take him out of the flat, he asked them to let him have another look at what he had done.
McCaffrey, of Hill Park Road, Jarrow, pleaded guilty to burglary at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard he was “off his head” after taking 12 sleeping pills and downing vodka before going to the flat.
Stan Sudworth, prosecuting, said: “There was considerable damage to the flat. Every window was smashed, the back and front doors were damaged and everything inside was upturned.
“Witnesses saw him trying to get in, and said he was off his head.
“They heard loud smashing noises coming from the yard, and saw him hit the doors with a large piece of wood and a brick.”
The court heard that when police turned up, at 2.50pm on Thursday, McCaffrey was inside and after telling them he was a gangster, they arrested him.
Ian Haq, defending, said: “This is a young man who has never been in trouble before, and this is a rather unusually heavy introduction to the criminal justice system.
“His behaviour is out of character and definitely linked to the cocktail of drink and drugs that he had taken.
“He says he is owed £20 by the flat’s occupant, and he is refusing to pay.”
Magistrates decided that McCaffrey should be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court, where he will appear at a date yet to be fixed.
He was granted bail until then on condition that he lives at the address given to court, does not contact prosecution witnesses and keeps out of Pickering Court.
Twitter: @shieldsgazcrime
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