A HEREFORD man broke into a building belonging to an historic abbey after a night of heavy drinking because he wanted to 'talk to a monk', a court was told.

Jack Smalley, of Kentchurch Close, Hereford, broke a door lock to enter one of Belmont Abbey's buildings on the morning of March 23 after a night out in Hereford with friends.

The Abbey's Prior discovered a considerable mess in the kitchen area of the building, including overturned chairs and smashed eggs, when he went in at around 6am.

Prosecutor Kriss Ewing said the Prior had gone around the rest of the building to check for further damage and found Smalley in the bar area by the door.

"He was clearly very drunk and was slurring and difficult to understand," she said.

"Police were called and they discovered he had broken the lock to get in. He was heavily intoxicated.

"He was interviewed about the offences and stated he had had a lot to drink. He had finished drinking at around 6am and says he went into the Abbey and wanted to speak to the monks. He became frustrated when there was no answer which is why he broke in."

Smalley pleaded guilty to one charge of causing criminal damage at Hereford Magistrates Court last week.

Marilena Divitantonio, defending, said the 20-year-old was 'extremely embarrassed and ashamed' about what happened.

He could not recall a great deal, she said, and had consumed a large amount of alcohol while out with friends.

"He went [to the Abbey] because he wanted to speak to somebody as he has been there before. He went there to speak to them and told the police he was knocking on the door and was frustrated as there was no answer.

"He cannot recall what he did in there and apologises for the mess he created and is extremely embarrassed by his behaviour."

Magistrates fined Smalley £100 and ordered him to pay £135 costs and a £30 victim surcharge. He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation towards the cost of repairing the lock and £50 to cover the cost of the mess he made.