A YOUNG man who was under the influence of drink and drugs was "reduced to tears" when gardai had told him he broke into a house and threatened to cut up a young woman.
Daniel Belmount (23) had no recollection of breaking into the house and demanding the injured party put jewellery into a bag before threatening her as he was "poisoned by intoxicants", Swords District Court has heard.
Belmount, who has no previous convictions, was "appalled by his actions" when gardai read the injured party's statement to him after he was arrested, Garda Alan Carroll told the court.
"He initially believed he had been arrested for drunken behaviour," said Gda Carroll.
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The 23-year-old, of Oatfield Close in Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to burglary and trespass at a house in Corballis, Donabate on January 22.
Gda Carroll said the young woman was at home alone when, in the early hours of the morning, she heard the conservatory window breaking. Belmount had broken into her house and he demanded she go upstairs and get jewellery for him.
The woman managed to call gardai but Belmount kept threatening to cut her up. She hit Belmount in the face before he fled the scene. Gardai located him nearby.
Gda Carroll agreed with Belmount's solicitor that the defendant was "poisoned with some intoxicants" at the time.
"He was reduced to tears when he heard what he had done and he had a vague memory of being in the house but didn't know why he was there," said Gda Carroll.
The solicitor explained it was the anniversary of the defendant's granny's death and he took drink and drugs.
Judge Dermot Dempsey said he requires €800 for the injured party to be brought to court at the end of July. He also ordered a probation report before making a sentencing decision.