Burglar caught on camera filling suitcase with Champagne during break-in at Chinese restaurant

Lee White was arrested after CCTV footage showed him stealing around £1,500 worth of property during the incident at the Eastern Court restaurant in Castleford, on April 19 this year.

Leeds Crown Court heard members of staff contacted the manager after finding a panel on the back door to the premises had been smashed.

CCTV footage was checked and White could be seen walking from the door into the bar area carrying a suitcase.

The defendant spent 15 minutes inside the building helping himself to items including 20 bottles of Champagne from a fridge as well as bottles of wine.

Ayman Khokhar, prosecuting, said White also stole two electronic tablets worth £600 each.

White, 40, of Broadway, Wakefield, was identified as a suspect from forensic evidence at the scene.

He pleaded guilty to one count of burglary.

At the time of the incident he was the subject of a community order imposed for a public order offence.

Christopher Morton, mitigating, said White pleaded guilty to the offence at an early stage.

He said the defendant had an addiction to amphetamines and was homeless at the time of the offence after he fell out with his partner.

Mr Morton said White had been camping beside the river Aire and committed the offence while he was wandering around Castleford.

The court heard White is now reconciled with his partner and they have be rehoused in Wakefield.

Mr Morton added: "He has secured funding for hypnotherapy to help him with his amphetamine habit."

White was given a two-year prison, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to take part in a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.