A thirsty thief has pleaded guilty to a bungled shop raid which resulted in £600 worth of damage.

Appearing at Kingston Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Stephen Butler, 23, from Surbiton admitted to smashing the shop window in Hook Road in September and helping himself to a crate of lager and four packets of chewing gum to the value of £9.79.

He was by caught by police after he cut his leg on the broken glass and left traces of blood at the scene.

Kingston magistrates heard he had broken into the shop before and, on the day in question, had drunk up to 15 cans of alcohol.

“He had an alcohol dependency problem,” said his defence solicitor. “But he now says he is on a straight road.

“He has been in a relationship since September and his partner is expecting a child in March.”

The court was told of factors leading to his problems with alcohol, including losing his father at 16 and being diagnosed with cancer of the spleen in the same year.

Butler was given a conditional 12-month discharge and was ordered to pay for the goods he stole as well as £100 towards the window damage.

“We noted the fact you’re trying to get on top of your drinking problem, which you need to continue doing,” said Magistrate Mr Wood.

“Get your life in order, we don’t want to see you again.”

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