A guest who tried to steal two antique clocks and a staff tips jar from a Norfolk hotel whilst high on drink and drugs was ordered to go on a substance abuse programme yesterday.

A guest who tried to steal two antique clocks and a staff tips jar from a Norfolk hotel whilst high on drink and drugs was ordered to go on a substance abuse programme yesterday.

Robert Gorham, 28, of Clay Street, Soham, admitted burglary, attempted theft, and criminal damage at Lynford Hall Hotel, near Thetford.

Thetford Magistrates' Court yesterday heard that the defendant, who was staying at the hotel, was caught red-handed trying to carry away one of the clocks in the reception area at 2.40am on July 6.

Susanna Chowdhury, prosecuting, said Gorham admitted to the night porter that he had tried to take the antique clocks and that he was drunk. It was later discovered that he had taken a tips jar containing £2 in change and had ripped out the cables of the CCTV camera in the hotel's reception.

The court heard that, when interviewed, Gorham told police he had a drink and drugs problem that made his behaviour unpredictable and on that particular night had taken cocaine and drunk heavily and had an argument with his girlfriend.

Gorham, who was representing himself in court, accepted that he needed help and agreed to co-operate with the probation service. Magistrates ordered him to serve an 18-month supervision order and complete an offender substance abuse programme.