Steven Ashworth, of Henry Wood Court, Saltney, broke a lead-lined window at his parents' address in Westminster Avenue, Hoole, last month to gain access to the property.

He was arrested and given conditional bail not to return to the house.

But Ashworth, having nowhere else to go, returned over the bank holiday weekend where he took to the roof of the garage after being refused access.

He pleaded guilty at Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston Magistrates Court to criminal damage and to breaching his bail conditions.

Bernard Byrne, prosecuting, said on Wednesday, April 26, Ashworth was asked to leave the house owned by his parents after an argument with his father.

Mr Byrne said the following morning a small portion of a 2ft lead-lined window was found to be broken. The pane was next to the window latch enabling a hand to be put through to gain entry to the property.

Mr Byrne said Ashworth had gone upstairs to bed.

He added Ashworth had co-operated with police and admitted causing the damage because he had nowhere else to go.

Mr Byrne said last weekend Ashworth was seen on the roof of the garage which his parents were not particularly pleased about, and police were called.

Ashworth was arrested and taken in to custody.

Howard Jones, defending said Ashworth had fallen on hard times and had worked until 12 months ago as a joiner.

He said that he had been living with his "workaholic" father and his unemployment had caused conflict between the two.

Mr Jones said Ashworth had been asked to leave and had gone on the housing list but was asked to return by his father.

However, further fall outs led to him leaving again and while he did have friends he could stay with, he had out-stayed his welcome.

Mr Jones said he had broken into the house to sleep and was arrested in his bedroom by officers.

He told the court that after Ashworth had been bailed he had returned again to stay for a couple of nights in the loft and had asked if he could clean himself up.

Mr Jones said his father had given him some water and a brush to do that in the back yard and that Ashworth felt treated "like an animal" and had gone up onto the roof in protest.

He added that his time in custody had allowed Ashworth to reflect on his situation and he would be sorting out his financial situation and accommodation after the hearing.

Magistrates gave him a nine-month conditional discharge.