A KENDAL man has been given a 160 day custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, after pleading guilty to trespassing with intent to steal.

Ryan Palmer, of Acre Moss Lane, Kendal, appeared at South Lakeland Magistrates’ Court after entering a guilty plea at an earlier hearing.

Palmer, 35, along with two other men, sentenced separately, entered the Crompton House Guest House, Lake Road, Windermere on August 8.

The court heard how Palmer was under the influence of alcohol and Class A drugs.

John Appleby, prosecuting, said: “The owner of the guest house was expecting guests to arrive late so had left their keys in an envelope in the porch area.

“At around 8.30pm, the owner noticed the phone in the entrance area had been pulled off its fixtures and the key for room number six was missing.

“She went to the room where a ‘do not disturb’ sign had been placed on the door and an empty beer can was in the bin.”

Police were informed and fingerprints on the envelope identified the three men, who were later arrested in a pub in Bowness at 10pm.

The court heard that Palmer had a significant previous record dating back to his youth. He was on licence at the time of the offence after being sentenced to five years imprisonment, suspended, for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine in 2010.

In mitigation Rachel Broughton said: “This was a non-domestic burglary and the only thing that was taken was the key. Mr Palmer wants me to apologise to the owner on his behalf.

“There was no confrontation, violence or ransacking in this occasion.”

As well as the suspended sentence, Palmer was ordered to pay £70 compensation, an £80 victim surcharge and £100 in court costs. He was also ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work and must also receive treatment for alcohol abuse.