Lost drunk must pay up

A surprised 91-year-old resthome resident woke to find an 18-year-old sleeping off a big night in the chair by his bed, a court has heard.

Kerrien James Weale, 18, unemployed, from Takaka Hill, was ordered to pay the pensioner $150 for emotional harm when he appeared in the Nelson District Court this week.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Chris Stringer said Weale entered the pensioner's cottage through a ranchslider. The man woke to find Weale asleep in the chair, and called for help. Weale did not know where he was.

Defence lawyer Herman Roose said Weale had written a letter of apology to the man straight away.

Weale had been very drunk and thought he had made his way to a mate's house, Mr Roose said. He had not intended to commit a crime in the pensioner's home.

Judge Tony Zohrab ordered Weale to pay $150 to the 91-year-old, who he had "frightened the bejeebers out of".

- © Fairfax NZ News