A drunk woman smashed a window after finding herself locked out of her house, then led police to believe she was the victim of an attempted burglary.

Leanne Thomas, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to wasting police time when she appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday, January 8.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said police received a call at 11.25pm on November 19, from Thomas’ neighbour, who stated she had heard breaking glass.

Officers arrived to find that the glass panel of Thomas’ front door had been smashed.

The door was open and Thomas, 37, was sitting on the stairs with one of her neighbours. She stated she was upstairs when she heard banging, then smashing.

Mr Pritchard-Jones said: “Police looked on it as an attempted burglary and took a statement from the defendant. She said she did not know who had done it.”

Police made enquiries and searched the area, but failed to find anyone, and Thomas said she had CCTV and would be able to supply them with the footage the following morning.

When officers returned she told them she had broken the glass herself because she was locked out, and a friend had climbed into the house to let her in.

She added that she was scared when the police arrived and panicked.

She stated: “I was very drunk, I’m very embarrassed. I’m sorry for wasting your time.”

Andrew Isaac, defending, said: “This lady is extremely sorry to say the very least.

“This is clearly a case where the folly of too much to drink is to the fore.

“She could not remember speaking to the police and spoke to her neighbour the next day who told her what had happened.”

“She was embarrassed, and told the truth straight away. If she had not been drinking alcohol she would not in any way consider this ploy to the police.

“Since this incident she has not touched any alcohol at all. This has terrified her – the stupidity of what she said.”

Mr Isaac added: “There is clear remorse. She came clean very soon after the incident.”

Magistrates fined Thomas £80 and ordered her to pay £85 court costs and a £30 surcharge.