A DRUNK soldier who broke into two houses before flagging down a police car to ask for directions back to his barracks has been spared jail.

Pte Chris Marshall, 22, of the Didcot-based Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistics Corp, burgled two houses in Wantage Road in the town in the early hours of July 17 and stole a laptop, digital camera, cheques and keys.

Marshall, of Vauxhall Barracks, had served in the Army for six-and-a-half years with an “exemplary record” but suffered a moment of madness, Oxford Crown Court was told yesterday.

Clare Tucker, prosecuting, said Marshall had downed lager and shots with friends before going on a burglary spree.

Minutes later, he flagged down a passing police car, claiming he was lost, and asked for directions to the barracks.

Suspicious officers searched his bag and found a laptop, which turned out had been stolen, Miss Tucker added.

Speaking in court Marshall said: “I feel disgusted with myself.

“I feel really sorry for the victims. All I can say is it will never happen again.

“I don’t know what got into me that night.”

Marshall stole a laptop, MP3 player and keys from Graham Collier, a former Didcot town councillor.

He also broke into the home of Di Chesterman, who lives with her son, and her husband, Russell, and stole a bundle of cheques.

Police found Marshall had written out £6,000 worth of cheques to himself, the court heard.

Adrian Amer, defending, said: “It is complete madness. The defendant was, in a polite way, in an intoxicated state and very much regrets what happened.

“He has been working for the army for six-and-a-half years and has an exemplary record.

“If the court were to impose a custodial sentence he would devastated.”

Marshall planned to train as a paratrooper, Mr Amer added.

A five-page army document delivered to the court described Marshall as a “very good” soldier and that the burglaries were out of character.

Marshall admitted the burglaries when arrested by police and pleaded guilty at Didcot Magistrates’ Court last month.

Recorder Susan Evans handed Marshall a 12-month community order to carry out 100 hours unpaid work and pay £270 costs.

Victim Mrs Chesterman, a member of the Didcot Neighbourhood Action Group, said: “I suppose I’m surprised because when they threw it out of magistrates' court and sent it to Crown Court they gave us the impression the sentencing would be higher.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: “All those who are found to fall short of the Army’s high standards or who are found to have committed an offence under the Army Act can be dealt with administratively, up to and including discharge, or through the discipline process.”