A HOMELESS man jailed for attempting to break in to a house claimed he just needed somewhere to sleep.
Krysztof Dziedzic, 42, was spotted trying to open the door of a home in Birdhurst Road, South Croydon, on November 26 year.
A neighbour called the police and when officers arrived they searched the Polish national and found a spanner and a pair of pliers.
Dziedzic, who was drunk at the time of the break-in on November 26 last year, said he was looking for somewhere to spend the night.
However, he pleaded guilty to attempted burglary when he appeared at Croydon Crown Court on Friday.
Dziedzic had previously burgled another home and been fined £100.
Judge Nicholas Ainley rejected his version of events, adding: "This was obviously a burglary. Whether you were drunk or sober, you were out in the middle of the night with a wrench and pliers, and you were trying to force the door.
"You've done the most sensible thing you could have done – which is to plead guilty."
Dziedzic was sentenced to 12 months in prison, which was halved due to his plea. He had served four months on remand.