A cross-dressing cocaine user broke into the home of his wife's friend and stole some of her clothes as he wanted to wear them, a court heard.
Dale Johnston knew the woman was away at the time so he drove to her home and broke in through a window.
When Melanie Whitton got home, she discovered it had been turned into a "bombsite" by 27-year-old Johnston.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard her wardrobe had been ransacked and various items of clothing and jewellery were missing.
Johnston told police after his arrest he had taken five grammes of cocaine on the day of the burglary.
"He said when he was on cocaine it made him want to dress in women's clothing and because he knew Miss Whitton was away, he decided to go to her home and steal her clothes," Simon Gerrish, prosecuting, said.
The court heard Johnston's wife Sally had been asked by Miss Whitton to look after her house in Highwood Road, Writtle, while she was away.
But on April 18, another friend noticed a lorry, similar to one used by Johnston, parked in the driveway. Later on, the friend found a black mini skirt and some make-up in the back garden and a broken kitchen window.
Miss Whitton later described the scene in her home as a "bombsite," Mr Gerrish said.
Police were told about the lorry and arrested Johnston and he admitted breaking into the house to steal some of Miss Whitton's clothes.
Johnston, of Chapel Road, Brightlingsea, admitted a burglary charge when he appeared in court.
Judge Gareth Hawkesworth gave him a two-year community rehabilitation order and 50-hours community punishment. He was also told to pay Miss Whitton £750 compensation.
Peter Fenn, mitigating, said the facts of the case were unusual.
"In the course of an earlier relationship, he was introduced to cocaine and while under the influence started the practice of cross dressing as a private matter between him and his partner at the time," Mr Fenn said.
At the time of the burglary, he was working long hours for an airport maintenance company and his relationship with his wife was not good, Mr Fenn said.
Published Monday, June 30, 2003
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