COLEFORD man Jason Childs, who caused £10,000 worth of damage when he burgled a disused pub, was given a 10 months suspended jail term.

Jason Childs – described by the judge as 'an arrogant man' – was also ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work and to pay costs of £750.

At a trial last month Childs, of Old Rectory Road, Staunton, nr Coleford, had been convicted of burgling the Bird-in-Hand pub at Broadwell on July 24 2009. He had denied the offence.

The court was told he was arrested after his DNA was found on a wine glass in the pub and his footprint on a fruit machine which had been kicked open.

The case had been adjourned for a pre-sentence report which was read by the judge today.

Derek Ryder, prosecuting, told the court that the cost of the damage done breaking into the pub and smashing open several machines amounted to £10,000. There was no insurance covering the damage because the pub was closed at the time.

Jason Coulter, defending, conceded that Childs has a significant criminal record but pointed out he had not committed a burglary offence for 15-16 years. Most of his more serious offending was in the 1990s, he said.

Childs had casual work both in a marquee business and as an electrician and claimed benefits when he was not working, he said.

Mr Coulter said he realised that the pub raid had been 'an unattractive offence.'

Passing sentence, Judge Jamie Tabor QC told Childs "You are an arrogant man. You burgled these premises and you left behind incontrovertible evidence of your burglary.

"The jury quickly came to the conclusion it was incontrovertible. You decided to have a trial and you could have no complaint if you were sent to prison today.

"You committed £10,000 worth of damage with your accomplices as you smashed your way into the equipment to get hold of a few handfuls of coins.

At the earlier hearing Judge Tabor had commented to the jury "You would be amazed how often burglars have a bite out of someone's fridge or drink a glass of milk or something and leave tell tale signs behind them!"