A MAN who burgled a chemist's shop has been jailed - after he incriminated himself by returning to the scene of a crime he had just committed.

Bungling Simon Coopey was unaware he had left a herring bone pattern marks from the bottom of his shoes on a chemist's wall during the break-in, Worcester magistrates heard yesterday.

Coopey was jailed for seven months after admitting theft, three charges of burglary, failing to surrender to bail, and breaching a community punishment order.

Neil Coulson, prosecuting, said when police responded to the burglar alarm at Giles Pharmacy near Coopey's home in Warndon, Worcester, the 21-year-old defendant went back to the shop and asked police what was happening.

The prosecutor told the court that Coopey and another male had smashed through the chemist's door in Cranham Drive, and broken through a temporary plaster board wall inside the shop, on Wednesday, January 22.

Mr Coulson said officers noticed the defendant's shoes when he approached them, and police then searched Coopey's house.

"The officers found various items at the defendant's home, including hair styling equipment," said Mr Coulson.

"The damage to the door cost £50 to repair and the damage to the wall costs £150 to repair.

"The defendant admitted he'd been under the influence of drink and made a full admission."

Primary school

Mr Coulson said Coopey and another man also burgled Elbury Mount Primary School, Brickfields, on the evening of Thursday, November 14, last year.

The prosecutor said Coopey, of Cartmel Close, Worcester, and David Robinson, of Saddlers Walk, Worcester, were spotted by police trying to hide electrical goods they had just stolen after an earlier attempted break-in.

At a previous hearing Coopey also admitted stealing two sweatshirts valued at £70 from Debenham's in Worcester by rolling them up under each arm on Wednesday, January 8.

Yesterday, Coopey admitted burglary at an ex-acquaintance's home in Buttermere Drive, Worcester, by forcing the door open and stealing two cigarettes valued at 40p in total.

Andrew Childs defending said the incidents could have been a lot more serious.

"When he broke into a pharmacy he took toiletries on display - there was no evidence my client was after drugs," said Mr Childs.

"The theft from Debenham's was crude in the way it was carried out.

"It's sad - he's got a good work record, he's fit and healthy. He's lost his way in life."