A THIEF high on a cocktail of alcohol and Valium smashed his way into a business before making off with three expensive computers, a court heard.

Matthew Herridge, 45, admitted stealing the goods after police found his blood at the scene.

Officers also seized CCTV footage of Herridge attempting to sell the computers in a second hand store soon after the break-in.

Herridge, of Mersea Road, Colchester, admitted stealing the hardware, worth £1,913, from CPS Architecture and Design Lts, based in Middleborough. He was sentenced at Colchester Magistrates Court yesterday.

Sharon Hall, prosecuting, said: “The owner of the premises says he had secured the property, but the next morning went back and a panel had been kicked in on the door and items had been taken.

“Stolen items included an HP all in one touch screen computer, an Acer slimline desktop and a custom-built PC.

“Blood found at the scene was forensically tested and found to be matching Herridge.

“Enquiries were made at a second hand shop.

“They knew Mr Herridge and had CCTV footage of him coming in and trying to sell the stolen items.

“They refused because they suspected the items to be stolen. The items are yet to be re - covered.

“He was arrested after being identified and interviewed, upon arrest he tested positive for cocaine.”

Herridge has a long list of previous convictions, including multiple cases of theft from shops.

Julie Brice, mitigating, said the defendant had turned a corner, and was in the process of kicking his drug habits.

She said: “At the time of the offence he had just started a Valium prescription from the doctor, as he has significant problems with anxiety and depression.

“He accepts he had been drinking on top of that.

“He said he pretty much woke up the day after with little memory of the incident.

“He woke up in the aftermath with all this stuff and then dealt with the consequences.

“He has been in touch with Open Road for some considerable time now.

“He wants to move away from the area.

"He says he hates his life as it is at the moment."

Magistrates ordered Herridge to make “every effort” to recover the stolen computers.

He was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered a rehabilitation activity requirement of 20 days.

A compensation order for £1,250 was also made.