A 21-YEAR-OLD was told he was lucky not to be jailed for his "absolutely sickening" behaviour.
Splashes of blood at the scene led to the arrest of Luca Seaman, of Truro Lane, Penryn, who pleaded guilty to burglary at Costcutters, Penryn, on September 29. He also asked for three other offences of shoplifting to be taken into consideration.
Gail Hawkley, for the CPS, said CCTV showed Seaman dressed in a black balaclava and dark clothing, breaking a pane of glass with a hammer to get into the shop before stealing cigarettes and alcohol.
He fell over and cut his hand on the broken glass, leaving blood behind.
He was soon found in a nearby house and recognised from the footage. The stolen property was found in his bedroom, and other stolen items were found under a loose-fitting patio slab outside.
Solicitor Martin Pearce, for Seaman, who had previous convictions, said he had been blind drunk at the time but admitted responsibility for the offences. He was now dealing with his alcoholism. He was studying marine biology and intending to go to university.
Seaman was given an 18-week prison sentence suspended for two years, a curfew for six months for six nights a week and a drink banning order for a year. He had to pay compensation of £333.
Magistrates chairman Fiona Roberts told him she found it sickening that he had gone out at night dressed in a balaclava and armed with a hammer.
