Hungry Patrick Ward broke into a building looking for food and was "dismayed" when he realised it was a home for people with learning difficulties, a court heard.

Ward clambered through open windows into three rooms at Chasefield House in Fishponds Road, Bristol Crown Court was told.

Though he was hoping to find a kitchen he was unable to find anything to eat and, twigging where he was, left without taking anything.

Ward, 45, of Downend Road, pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal in April.

The Recorder of Bristol Judge Tom Crowther QC adjourned the case for three weeks, so Ward can be assessed for his suitability for a drug rehabilitation requirement.

Julian Howells, prosecuting, said 11 people lived at the care home, each with their own room.

Mr Howells said that, on the evening of April 18, a support worker was giving residents their supper when three occupants realised their rooms had been locked from the inside.

The court heard the staff member investigated one room and found the window opened and property disturbed.

She found a similar situation in two other rooms and when police were called in Ward's fingerprints were found and he was arrested four days later.

Mr Howells said: "The evidence was put to him and he admitted the offence.

"He said he was in benefit, short of money and food and he had seen a large residential house with the windows open and a large garden.

"He said he went in to steal food and he had wanted to get to the kitchen.

"He tried three rooms and he found nothing edible. He said the penny dropped that something was unusual about the premises, he released he had broken into a home for disabled people and he was dismayed having done that."

The court heard Ward had a plethora of previous offences to his name including three burglaries, possession of drugs and car theft.

Ramin Pakrooh, defending, told the court his client was willing to comply with whatever was asked of him.

He said: "The most important thing is that he continues to engage with the agencies he has been engaging with."