A burglar who stole a tropical fish from a north Norfolk home had drunk 10 cans of lager and a quarter-of-a-litre of vodka on the day in question a court heard today.

A burglar who stole a tropical fish from a north Norfolk home had drunk 10 cans of lager and a quarter-of-a-litre of vodka on the day in question a court heard.

Daniel Horth, 21, of Berners Close, just off Mile Cross Road in Norwich, was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a 12-month supervision order by Cromer magistrates for his part in the robbery from a house in Little Barningham in August last year.

He was also fined �300 and ordered to take part in a programme to help with his drinking problems.

Gary Mayle, prosecuting, explained that Horth along with another man, Adam Burton, 25, of Holway Road, Norwich, who both knew their victims, had entered the property on August 12 last year, through an unlocked window while the owners were away.

He said they used carrier bags to stash some of the stolen goods which included electrical items, PlayStation games, a bottle of vodka and �200 in cash as well as a Siamese fighting fish.

As they stood outside their victims' home with their haul, a neighbour, not knowing what they had done, offered them a lift in her car to Aylsham and gave them stronger carrier bags to help them carry their load.

Mr Mayle said it was when the householders were speaking to the neighbour about being burgled and she told them about the two men she had seen and given a lift to, that they recognised her description of one of the men and informed the police.

The pair were arrested and pleaded guilty to the crime. Burton was sentenced to 100 hours' unpaid work and ordered to pay �250 compensation to his victims by Yarmouth magistrates in December.

Horth, who has previous convictions for theft and false representation, pleaded guilty to burglary and his case was adjourned until Thursday for a pre-sentence report.

Alistair Taunton, mitigating on behalf of Horth at Cromer magistrates, said: 'My client has had problems with alcohol in the past which is something which he himself has worked to address.

'He admits this offence was as a result of alcohol, having drunk 10 cans of Fosters and a quarter-of-a litre of vodka on the day in question.

'He accepts full responsibility for his own actions. At times he does not think of the consequences of his actions, he makes a decision on the spur of the moment and does not think what may happen in two or three days time.'

Despite the arrests of Horth and Burton, the fish has never been recovered.