A WOULD-BE robber left an Irvine bar’s drink taps turned on after the 'wet bandit' broke into a popular high street pub and restaurant.

Christopher Forbes, 32, appeared in court last week after breaking into The Carrick on November 22 last year with the intention to steal.

He admitted a second charge of maliciously turning on tap dispensers, causing the booze to pour out.

The charge states he also smashed bottles and crockery while already out on bail.

He avoided further prison time after he was placed on a strict drug treatment testing order for 18 months.

He appeared on a second previous complaint after stealing a quantity of food from Food Warehouse in Irvine’s Riverway Retail Park on March 28, 2021.

He was also caught in possession of a bladed or sharply pointed article, specifically a needle.

Sentence had been deferred for a background social work report.

When Forbes, who was described in court papers as a remand prisoner at HMP Kilmarnock, and as previously being resident at Burn Street, Irvine, appeared from custody at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week, defence solicitor Peter Murray told Sheriff Murdoch MacTaggart: "It is a very positive [social work] report. You will see he has had long-standing drug addiction issues.

"He was introduced at the tender young age of 13 to cannabis and graduated, if that is not an inappropriate term, to Valium, then heroin.

"He has been remanded since November 23, approximately six months, and used the time to his advantage. He is fully detoxed and free from illicit substances."

Sheriff Murdoch MacTaggart said: “I'm going to make you subject to a drug treatment testing order in respect to the indictment matters you plead guilty to on March 7 this year.

“I take account you have spent a period in custody.

"You will be on the DTTO for 18 months. You will return for periodic reviews; as long as the reports are positive the order can continue.

"If you complete the order successfully, that can be the end of matters."

Forbes replied: "thank you very much” as he was taken downstairs to be released from custody.