TWO “blind drunk” thieves who burgled Newport Central Police Station on Christmas Day for three bicycles have been sent to jail.

Alan Fowler and Stephen Brian Thomas Clayton appeared before Newport Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, January14.

Fowler, 20, was also sentenced for being in possession of cannabis when he was arrested after riding past a police officer on one of the stolen bikes and waving at him. The court heard Clayton, 21, had no idea how he came to be at the police station, with the pair described by officers as “Christmas party drunk”.

Defending Fowler, who pleaded guilty to both charges, Craig Bond called the crime “wholly unsophisticated”, adding: “It was destined to fail, as he is well known to police.”

The court heard how Fowler, of Caerau Road, entered the site through an electronic gate at the rear yard, after a police car had left.

“He was extremely drunk,” Bond said. “He has been an alcoholic since a young age and was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis aged 13.”

Clayton pleaded guilty to an amended charge of being found on enclosed premises, after pleading not guilty to theft of the bikes but admitting being present at the scene. He also pleaded guilty to stealing a car sat nav in October, worth £120.

In mitigation for Clayton, who has no fixed address, Matthew Thomas said: “He has significant alcohol problems but he wants to engage with the probation service.”

Clayton received an eight week prison sentence for being found on enclosed premises and a four week sentence for the sat nav theft, to run concurrently. Fowler was jailed for 16 weeks. There was no separate penalty for the cannabis charge, but District Judge Martin Brown made a forfeiture and destruction order.