A MAN subjected a couple to a terrifying early morning ordeal when he attempted to force his way into their home whilst on drugs.

Luke Roberts, of Irfon Terrace, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court for sentence on Tuesday, August 20.

The 35-year-old had previously admitted using violence to secure entry to premises and failing to surrender to bail.

At Tuesday's hearing, he admitted a further offence of failing to attend for testing for a class A drug.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court police received a call at around 7.30am on February 11 reporting a person jumping in and out of residents' gardens, banging on doors and screaming.

He ended up going into the porch of a home in Ffordd Offa, Rhos, where the occupants were awoken by him repeatedly kicking the porch door and pulling at the handle as if trying to get in.

Mr Espie said: "The victims asked who it was multiple times - they were clearly terrified.

"The defendant continued to make violent attempts to force entry and he damaged the internal porch door by kicking it so violently."

The female occupant was so terrified, she hid herself in the loving room while her partner armed himself with a golf club, Mr Espie said.

And shockingly, the address appeared to have been chosen "completely randomly."

Police turned up, all with tasers drawn, and had to force entry into the porch to apprehend the defendant.

Mr Espie said ironically, as the officers had forced entry, it had been North Wales Police which had to foot the bill for repairs.

Roberts was quickly subdued and taken away.

When questioned, he admitted he'd take cocaine prior to the offence.

MORE NEWS

The other two offences he'd admitted followed the February 11 incident.

A probation officer told the court: "He did show what I believe to be genuine remorse and was able to wholly recognise that his behaviour would have caused fear.

"He was paranoid due to his cocaine use and felt he needed to find a place of safety."

The probation officer told the court Roberts left school with no qualifications but went on to become a restaurant owner.

Alex MacKenzie, defending, told the court: "It is a rather unusual offence.

"He was going through an awful lot of bereavement, struggling with family members being ill and caring for his grandmother.

"All of that with the fact he'd taken cocaine was simply a recipe for disaster.

"He is so sorry for his actions and recognises very much the fear he would have caused to those individuals.

"They were not targeted. This is an isolated incident."

Roberts received an 18 month community order with 15 days of rehabilitation activity, up to 35 sessions on an accredited programme and a three month drug rehabilitation requirement.

He must pay £200 compensation for the "substantial invasion" he committed against the occupants of the home, as well as £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.