Jail for shop break-in burglar

Simon Benson was caught when crime scene investigators discovered his blood on a cupboard at the premises.

Benson, 26, of Radcliffe Road, Fleetwood, pleaded guilty to burgling the E Smo-King shop.

He was sentenced to 16 weeks’ prison and ordered to pay £300 compensation to the shop owner by Blackpool magistrates.

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said a main panel in the door of the shop on Fleetwood’s Lord Street was smashed between March 30 and 31.

Blood found at the scene matched Benson’s.

He had three previous convictions for burglary and at the time of the offence was on a 12-week prison sentence suspended for two years for an offence of burglary.

Patrick Nelligan, defending, said his client suffered from a split personality disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome for which he took medication.

Benson did not usually drink because of his medication, but he was easily influenced and that night was persuaded to have a drink of lager.

He then found himself in the shop.