A St. David's man yesterday admitted breaking into a Pembroke home, only to escape and re-enter it again hours later.

John O'Connor, of Sofar Lane, admitted in Magistrates' Court that he entered the Upper Crescent home of Sandra Williams and stole a Sony Powershot digital camera valued at $230.

Crown counsel Auralee Cassidy said that at 11.10 a.m., Ms Williams was sitting in the living room with her daughter when she decided to go outside for a cigarette.

She was standing near the door to her computer room when a man, O'Connor, walked out. Ms Williams asked him what he was doing, he told her he was in the wrong house, and left. The complainant called Police and reported the trespassing, describing the 21-year-old as yellow-skinned, wearing black and carrying a grey jacket.

A few hours later, at 2.20 p.m., Ms Williams heard strange noises coming from the computer room and called the Police again. The officers arrived and were trying to open the door when O'Connor came charging through.

Officers struggled to arrest the defendant but he was eventually apprehended. After he was taken to the Hamilton Police Station, Ms Williams' daughter noticed her digital camera was missing. Officers later found it among the defendant's belongings.

In court, O'Connor explained to Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner that he didn't break into the house because the door was open. "I wasn't trying to steal the camera. I wanted to use the flash to distract the Police. I was drunk and stranded in Hamilton and I needed a place to sleep. I just made a stupid mistake your honour. I'm sorry," he said.

Mr. Warner said the story didn't make sense and ordered a Social Inquiry Report on O'Connor, who is currently on probation. He was remanded into custody until his sentence date on November 28.