Paragraphs 19 & 20 read: "During the court hearing on Wednesday, Nicola Devas, defending, said that Cocksedge had ‘made a mistake’ by going into the house."
"She said: 'He was on anti-depressants, and had an argument with his girlfriend about drinking. He drank four cans of lager, and thought he had gone to his girlfriend’s house. If he had not drank the beer, he would not have made the mistake'.”
SSRI Stories note: 'Confusion' is listed as a frequent side effect of antidepressants, especially the SSRIs. Combined with alcohol this confusion can be deadly.
By STEPHEN BRIGGS Published on Fri Jan 21 11:18:43 GMT 2011
A couple form Peterborough have told of their horror after returning home to find their house had been trashed and the culprit asleep in their bed.
Intruder Mark Cocksedge (35) had even helped himself from the larder before he slumped into the bed wearing just his boxer shorts.
A court heard that Cocksedge had consumed so much alcohol and anti-depressants that he did not wake up until the police arrived.
Cocksedge, of Everdon Way, Westwood, was given a three month prison sentence, suspended for two years at Peterborough Crown Court, after pleading guilty to burglary.
But for mum of two Laura Taylor (23) and her partner Richard Bailey (30), life will not be the same again and they are angry that Cocksedge was not jailed.
After the hearing, Miss Taylor told how the family had arrived at their Westwood home, only to be confronted by a scene of devastation.
She said: “The front door had been forced open. There was blood on the fridge, and there were things all over the cooker. He had eaten some Coco Pops, a Pot Noodle and some crisps.
“There was a man’s jacket and shoes in front of the TV. The stairgates had also been broken.
“There was blood all over the walls on the way up the stairs.
“It was unreal. I ran back to the car to look after the children while Richard went upstairs and saw him.
“Richard said he wanted to hit him, but we agreed to do it by the book.
“The police came, and it took a large number of officers to take him downstairs – he was in a real state.”
Mr Bailey added: “I went into the bedroom and saw a man lying there covered in blood. I didn’t know if he was alive or dead. It was a bit scary, then I was angry that he was in our house.”
Miss Taylor said that following the burglary she had become very nervous about being in the house alone.
She said: “Now I won’t answer the door unless I know who is coming. I will always check by opening the window first. When I go out I always have to go back and check that I locked the door.
“We had just finished decorating the bedroom the day before. I had saved up to buy the bedding, and I just wanted to throw it all away.
“We used 10 bottles of bleach to clear up the mess he caused. It cost us £200 to repair the damage he had caused.
“I am so angry that he has not been jailed. I am frightened that he might come back and do it again.”
During the court hearing on Wednesday, Nicola Devas, defending, said that Cocksedge had ‘made a mistake’ by going into the house.
She said: “He was on anti-depressants, and had an argument with his girlfriend about drinking. He drank four cans of lager, and thought he had gone to his girlfriend’s house. If he had not drank the beer, he would not have made the mistake.”
Sentencing, Recorder Robert Blomfield told Cocksedge: “The circumstances are to say the least unusual, indeed some might say they are extraordinary.
“The fact is you were there as a consequence of the combination of drink and anti-depressants. It is an explanation, but plainly not an excuse.”
“It was a harrowing experience for the victims to find you in their bed.”