An intruder who inflicted almost £900 of damage at a forecourt in Hertfordshire received a double punishment – he cut himself while smashing a glass door panel with a lump of concrete , an injury which led to his identification.

Magistrates at Hertford heard the 21-year-old defendant admit the offence at the Esso forecourt after a heavy drinking session. Having caused serious damage, he took nothing of great value, but left behind something of value to investigating police officers – blood that DNA testing later proved to be his.

The defendant was given a one-year community rehabilitation order and instructed to pay for the damage he caused.

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