Former Premier League footballer Shaun Newton has avoided jail time for burgling a flat during a drug and drink fuelled episode after providing the most bizarre reason as to why he burgled a flat - he thought he was on a treasure hunt.





The 41-year-old ex-West Ham and Charlton Athletic midfielder told the court he had not slept for two days when he was caught trying to take keys from a property in Mitcham. He claimed to believe it was part of his 40th birthday celebrations, according to the ​Evening Standard.





The former England Under-21 international said: "I was in some treasure hunt or I thought it was.

He said he was, "looking for the rest of the clues to solve the puzzle.





“It was a long weekend and I was tired and disorientated and confused by the tricks that were played on me at the time.





“I was led to believe there was a car, a Range Rover or whatever, and I was hunting for it. I pulled apart my whole house looking for keys.

"There were things in my house leading me to number plates, stuff like that and I was led to believe I had to do certain things like breaking glass.”





Newton denied burglary but he was found guilty by the jury and sentenced to 100 hours community service by recorder Ian Peddie QC who said: “It’s clear you were high on cocaine and alcohol and maybe that’s why you committed the burglary.

wow. this guy's lawyer is amazing. That has to be the best excuse I've ever heard — Chayo Alvar (@chayo_alvar) July 15, 2017

"Fortunately nothing was taken and in the witness box you gave a bizarre account of your actions, enough to cause the jury and myself to be concerned about your mental health.”





The occupant of the flat had to restrain Newton, and he subsequently had to be searched for by police in March after missing his pre-trial hearing and breaking the terms of his bail.





He was further ordered to pay £1,585 court costs, plus a £200 fine for skipping bail. He claims that: “has not found his feet after football" and that "he now lives a day-to-day hand-to-mouth existence.”

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