A BURGLAR who tried to steal from a phone store in Carlisle city centre where he and an accomplice smashed a window was traced after he cut himself and left blood at the scene of the crime.

Mark Young, 24, admitted the crime as well as a shoplifting offence which involved him stealing sunglasses from Boots.

Prosecutor Pam Ward told the city’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court that the offending came to light at 1.15am on Saturday, June 4, when an alarm sounded when a side window at the EE phone shop in Scotch Street, Carlisle, was smashed.

Two men were seen outside the shop and after one of them had smashed the window the defendant tried to get inside and attempted – but without success – to remove display phones.

“That male cut himself, leaving a trail of blood at the scene,” said Mrs Ward. A DNA profile was obtained from that blood and this led to the arrest of the defendant, said the prosecutor.

Mrs Ward added: “No items were stolen.” 

Young stole the sunglasses when he and an accomplice went to the Boots store in Carlisle city centre on the afternoon of June 29. At 3pm, said the prosecutor, security staff saw Young in the store.

A review of CCTV images from Boots later confirmed that while in the store Young had put several pairs of sunglasses into his pocket and left the shop without attempting to pay.

The court heard that the defendant had a long criminal record for dishonesty offences. He had also previously breached court orders.

Anthony Wilson, defending, said the defendant, of Peel Street, Carlisle, suffered from anxiety and depression.

Commenting on the burglary, the lawyer said: “Nothing was actually taken; and it was a side window of the premises, not one of the big plate glass windows, so it’s no huge loss to a company the size of EE to replace it.”

The theft from Boots had been a “spur of the moment” offence, said Mr Wilson. It was a sunny day and sunglasses were the kind of item that was easy to sell to pay for drugs.

“He has struggled with drug addiction for quite some time,” continued Mr Wilson. The lawyer outlined how the defendant and his partner had tragically lost their 11-month-old child.

Because of this, his mental health suffered. “He was suffering severely with his mental health from depression and PTSD,” explained Mr Wilson. “As a result of this, he started mixing with the wrong crowd and started using drugs again.

“And, of course, he started committing offences to feed his drugs habit. But he wants to be drug free and will be referred to his GP. Last week, he started engaging again with Unity.

“And he started working with the crisis team on coping mechanisms.”

Magistrates imposed a 34-week jail term, suspended for a year. As part of his sentence, Young must complete 25 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service and pay compensation.

He must pay £350 to Boots and £100 to EE.

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