A dozy burglar was caught when he parked a £17,000 Mini he had stolen on the hard shoulder of the motorway for a snooze.

Jonathan Martin, of Watchlytes, Welwyn Garden City, was woken by police on the M25 drunk, in the black Mini convertible he had taken during a burglary hours earlier on September 10.

The trainee plumber refused to co-operate with the police interview, but in court claimed he let himself in the open back door of an occupied five-bedroom house in Essenden, took the keys to the owner’s new Mini after crashing his work van nearby, and drove off while drunk.

Police also found Martin with the key to an Audi parked outside the house and a black leather purse containing cards and cash also taken in the burglary.

Martin pleaded guilty to burglary and being drunk in charge of a vehicle.

However, sentencing had to be delayed a week, and further costs and time spent on the case, after he told probation did not intend to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle. He later admitted this was not the case.

The 31-year-old has previous convictions for driving offences and a caution for a non-dwelling burglary, which relate to a “long term alcohol problem dating back to his teenage years” said Brian Richardson, defending.

St Albans Crown Court heard Friday Martin had suffered personal tragedy with the violent deaths of his uncle and aunt in Belfast in recent years and his brother described as “his best friend” committing suicide in 2008.

Mr Richardson said Martin was on medication for depression, which mixed with alcohol “took away his inhibition” leading him to carry out the “foolish, dangerous and criminal activity”.

His fiancé and mother of his two young children, who he does not live with was in court to support him.

Asking the court not to jail his client Mr Richardson said: “He has made numerous efforts to move on.

“He is a bright and talented man and received a number of GCSEs at school, and lives with his mother and father.

“He has made efforts to secure employment as a plumber and is on an apprenticeship with the British Trade Skills Centre.

“The report says he is a low to medium risk of re-offending.”

Recorder Peter Crabtree imposed ten-month suspended prison sentence, with conditions he carries out alcohol treatment under supervision of probation and 100 hours’ unpaid work in the community.

Martin was banned from driving for 12 months.

Recorder Crabtree said: “This took place over-night while occupied and is an extremely serious offence in my view.

“I accept that it was impulsive and having regard to all the circumstances, custody can only be justified, but I am prepared to suspend it.”