A TEENAGE burglar loaded up a rucksack with stolen alco pops when he broke into Littleport Leisure Centre on a Sunday night and raided a fridge. The 17-year-old dumped some soft drinks on the floor of a hall – and his finger prints were discovered when fo

A TEENAGE burglar loaded up a rucksack with stolen alco pops when he broke into Littleport Leisure Centre on a Sunday night and raided a fridge.

The 17-year-old dumped some soft drinks on the floor of a hall - and his finger prints were discovered when forensic tests were carried out.

"He told police he committed the burglary, but would not give any other names, or admit he was with anyone else," prosecutor Yetunde Fawehinmi told Ely Youth Court on Thursday.

"He went to the leisure centre with the rucksack to carry out what he stole. He gained entry through a side door, went to the fridge, and selected the bottles.

"He took the alcohol because he had no money and wanted a drink, he then consumed the alcohol."

A member of staff at the leisure centre discovered the break in during a security check, said Mrs Fawehinmi.

The doors of hall two were found unlocked, and bolts had been forced. The fridge, previously well stocked, had been raided, soft drink bottles were strewn on the floor, and alcohol was missing.

The teenager had been drinking before the offence, said solicitor Michael Judkins.

"He had been told it was possible to obtain alcohol by getting into the leisure centre through a side door, and taking it from the fridge," he said.

"He went along that day, he took 12 bottles but could have taken more, it was for his own consumption."

The burglar was given a four-month referral order, and must pay �30 compensation and �25 costs.