A jobless hairdresser broke into a brothel and stole a £1 tiara after dancing in the street with his trousers around his ankles.

James Underwood, 23, of Withdean Rise, Brighton, visited the Foxy Ladies massage parlour with two friends at 3.45am after a drunken night out.

The brothel in Little Preston Street, Brighton, was closed and a neighbour said the three men started making a huge racket.

The court heard Mr Underwood pulled his trousers down while one of his friends banged on the door of the brothel.

They broke in and emerged two or three minutes later with the tiara, which belonged to Fiona Adams who owns Foxy Ladies.

The group drove off and a high speed police chase ensued ending in Portslade, where Underwood was arrested but his two friends escaped.

Defence barrister Lewis Power said: "My client accepts he was drunk and became involved in puerile, immature and foolish horseplay in taking the tiara, wearing it on his head and various other potentially indecent acts."

He said Underwood was "entirely and genuinely remorseful" about the events of June 24 last year.

Hove Crown Court heard Underwood had four previous convictions.

By breaking in, the group caused £250 damage to the door and a CCTV camera.

He admitted theft after a more serious charge of burglary was dropped.

Judge Guy Anthony said: "I am prepared to accept this was a stupid drunken escapade."

He fined Underwood £150 and ordered him to pay £100 costs.

The judge added: "If the premises are known to the police to be a brothel it would be suprising if it was still being allowed to continue in operation."

Foxy Ladies employs four prostitutes and offers full sex for £50.

Sussex Police was asked to explain its apparent "turn-a-blind-eye" attitude to the brothel and 20 others like it in Brighton and Hove but could not provide a response.