Man sentenced after night in Geelong court dressed as a barrister

A Victorian man has been sentenced after he donned a barrister's wig and robe and spent the night in the Geelong Magistrates' Court.

Leigh Hansen, 33, attended the court as a witness in a case on February 26, and entered an interview room and fell asleep about 4pm.

When he awoke, the court was closed and he took himself on a tour – looking under paintings, turning off the air-conditioning and water, and then discovering a room storing barristers' wigs and robes.

Hansen donned a barrister's outfit and found a way out of the building five hours later.

His lawyer told the court that Hanson had accidentally overstayed his welcome.

"He was in a panic – he wakes up, it's dark, he's beside himself and he goes looking for a way out," the lawyer said.

"It was not a very bright idea."

A police prosecutor identified Hansen in CCTV footage, and said Hansen had stuffed more wigs and robes in a bag before he left.

Hansen's antics raised concerns about court security, and interview rooms are now permanently locked.

A month later, Hanson was caught driving while disqualified and handling a stolen motorbike.

He has been sentenced to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work, for all charges including theft of a barrister’s garb.