(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS - A Kamloops man who stumbled into the home of a stranger while intoxicated last year and beat up a resident was given probation yesterday.

Crown prosecutor Jenny Reid outlined the bizarre events of June 30, 2012 that led to charges of forcible entry, assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm against Craig Pettigrew.

After a night of partying out with friends, Pettigrew, a Neskonlith Indian Band member in his mid-20s, was dropped off in North Kamloops where he walked into a home on 13 Street. As Pettigrew wandered throughout the home disorientated, the homeowner believed he was victim to a home invasion.

Reid believes Pettigrew, who doesn't remember what happened, thought he was entering the friend of a home. The confusion led to an altercation in the home. It escalated and Pettigrew beat the man with a stick. The man's son came down, saw the incident and phoned 9-1-1 before the man was sent to hospital.

Reid said the circumstances are unusual and that the residents would not provide a statement to help clarify some of the details. She told the court Pettigrew 'was way too drunk.'

"That combined with his (anxiety) medication was probably not the best cocktail for him," she said.

Reid said incarceration was unnecessary given the circumstances.

"He was pretty shocked I think about what he had done," Reid said. "It is a very unusual situation."

Defence lawyer Chris Thompson agreed, saying Pettigrew, with no criminal history, has had 'enough shock.' The Crown recommended a period of probation with specific orders keeping him away from the victim and North Kamloops home.

"It's pretty horrifying to wake-up and find you broke into someone's home and beat up another man," said provincial court judge Stella Frame.

She was satisfied with the joint submission and ordered Pettigrew to 12 months probation.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2013