A Warrenpoint man poured his own pints after trespassing into a beer garden, a court has been told.
It was heard the 19-year-old had been caught on CCTV footage pouring four pints and lifting two bottle of C&C Brown Lemonade.
Jamie Sedtke, of Rossmara Park, had a guilty plea entered on his behalf to a single count of burglary at Newry Magistrates’, sitting at Lisburn, on Wednesday.
Prosecution outlined that at 12.45pm, on February 5, police received a report of a burglary from Number Seven Duke Street in Warrenpoint.
Officers were shown CCTV which showed two males entering through a gate into the beer garden of the premises at 2am that morning.
One of the males then pulled up the shutter of the beer garden bar. He then jumped in before proceeding to pull four pints of beer and lifting two bottles of C&C Brown Lemonade.
The total value of the pints and lemonade was £22.
The male who jumped over the bar was later identified as the defendant.
Defence barrister Kevin O’Hare stated: “This was towards the end of a night of revelry and Mr Sedtke was not willing to go home.
“He went into the beer garden to pour a couple of beers in order to extend the night’s drinking. To his credit he made full admissions and was cooperative with police.”
He added that the defendant came before the court with no prior convictions.
District Judge Amanda Brady commented: “Was there no alternative disposal explored in the case previously? This is a heavy thing to have on his record for something done whilst young and drunk.”
Mr O’Hare explained that Sedtke had previously been issued with two cautions for theft matters.
District Judge Brady stated: “It would appear he ran out of luck. It is unusual to impose a monetary penalty for a burglary but in this case that it what I am going to do.”
The defendant was ordered to pay compensation of £22 and a fine of £150, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 20 weeks.
