A THEFT attempt turned into an opportunity to sleep for a 35-year-old man suffering from insomnia.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Thomas Tatler took a handful of sleeping pills before walking home from a friend's house in the early hours.

And after climbing into a parked car that had already been broken into, he fell asleep and didn't wake until the police arrived.

Tatler, of Aberdare Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft from a car and breach of a community punishment order. He was made subject to a 12-month community-rehabilitation order and told to pay £65 costs.

Clare Fanning, prosecuting, said that the car had been left secure outside the owner's home. In the early hours of the morning, a neighbour saw someone inside the car and called the police, who found Tatler asleep.

Simon Farnsworth, defending, said Tatler had taken his prescribed temazepam tablets just before leaving his friend's house to help him sleep when he got home.

"On route he saw this car door ajar and curiosity got the better of him," said Mr Farnsworth. "He entered the vehicle and that is his last recollection. He promptly fell asleep as a result of the tablets taking effect."