A 45-YEAR-OLD man 'ravaged by drugs' has been locked up after forcing his way into the Orford Hotel before smashing up cash machines with an axe to steal £1,203.

Alan Reid, of Alder Lane, Orford, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing last Friday, February 3, after he pleaded guilty to carrying out two shop thefts, theft of a bicycle and burglary in December.

He had also admitted criminal damage and going equipped to steal.

The court heard Reid was put before court on December 9 for the thefts and going equipped to steal.

He pleaded guilty and was bailed – despite breaching his suspended sentence – and his crime spree continued.

Just days later, on December 15 at around 5am, he made his way to the Orford Hotel, on Gorsey Lane, armed with an axe, the court heard.

Prosecution barrister Chris Taylor said: "Officers were called to the property – he was stopped and found wearing a wig and in possession of spirits from the public house, three to four bottles were recovered.

"Entry had been forced and there was significant damage to the pool machine – cash was taken, £1,203.

"Officers discovered the axe and realised it was used to attack cash boxes on the pool table and games machine.

"The defendant said they had kicked him out of the property."

Defence barrister Simeon Evans admitted there was 'very little' he could say for mitigation.

Judge Clement Goldstone QC dismissed imposing a suspended sentence and jailed Reid.

He said: "You are 45 years old – a man who has been ravaged by drugs and the effects of drugs for many years.

"When you are released from prison I hope you will see that a drug-free existence is better than a drug-riddled existence.

"On December 15 you broke into the public house property, Orford Hotel, while the people who run the pub were asleep.

"At the time you broke into it wearing a wig as a disguise and carried an axe.

"You burgled the premises as you had previously been kicked out the public house.

"Having forced entry you damaged, with the axe, the cash part of the pool and gaming machines and stole £1,203.

"The machines cost £4,000 to repair or replace.

"Occupiers were not disturbed until the police arrived.

"This was committed while you were on bail."

Reid was ordered to spend 32 months behind bars in total for his crimes, including 20 months for the hotel burglary.