Drunk burglar stole show home fake TV not realising it was a worthless dummy

Burglar Christopher May could hardly believe his luck when he tiptoed into a posh new waterfront development and stole a flashy flatscreen TV. He stumbled the few steps back home with his booty in tow and got ready to show it off to his pregnant fiancee. But his moment of criminal glory turned to horror when she pointed out it was nothing but an empty box.

The 29-year-old had mistakenly targeted a show home in the Orwell Quay development, just yards from his Patteson Road apartment, and had made off with a fake television put there to impress potential buyers. He had even failed to notice there was no cable or plug on the imitation set, which was completely worthless.



May admitted the burglary which took place on August 21 when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court. Defence solicitor Mark Holt said: “The room was set up to look like a living room. He was so intoxicated he didn’t realise it had no flex on it.” May has a history of alcohol-related crime, although he has managed to keep his nose clean for the past three-and-a-half years by going to counselling.

District Judge David Cooper, who presided over the hearing, told the defendant: “It’s really due to you having drunk far too much, and you stole an item that has no value whatsoever. You said you felt stupid about it and you had a right to feel stupid and a right to feel guilty – house burglary is a serious matter.” May was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 compensation to developer Persimmon Homes as well as £85 in court costs as punishment for his crime.