A burglar who broke into a hotel and raided the kitchen has been sent to prison.

In the dead of night, on September 23, Mark Blamire stole more than £1,100 worth of property from the Grove Court Hotel at Cleator.

Blamire, 28, later pleaded guilty to the burglary - along with two other offences - and was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, gave Judge Peter Davies details of the break-in.

He said: "He stole meat from the fridges together with cooking pans and a set of knives.

"He took them across the road to where his parents live and concealed them in the back garden."

The total value of Blamire's haul was said to be £1,167.

Then, just a week later, he found himself in even more trouble. Just after midnight on October 1, he contacted Lynn Kyles in Whitehaven despite being prohibited from doing so by a restraining order. This had been imposed by a court in July, 2014.

On the date of that breach he was found to be in possession of 16 diazepam tablets - a class C drug.

Blamire was said to have nine criminal convictions for 16 offences.

Defence barrister Brendan Burke said: "He can't remember much about the (latest) offences. He was living a wretched existence."

Blamire had been taking a cocktail of alcohol and drugs, and was homeless. He had been remanded in custody since committing the crimes on October 1.

"He actually wants to stay where he is at the moment (prison)," said Mr Burke.

"While he is there he is secure and his head is cleared."

Blamire, of no fixed abode, was given his wish by Judge Davies, who imposed a nine-month jail term.