POLICE found a burglar who took part in a raid on a Westbury supermarket by following a trail of looted goods to his home.

Stephen McQuoid, 20, admitted stealing £116 worth of alcohol and tobacco from Coopers Foodstore in Edward Street, when he appeared before Trowbridge magistrates on Thursday.

Prosecutor Rhys Davies told the court how McQuoid stole 20 packets of tobacco and four bottles of spirits from the store after a gang of youths smashed a window to gain entry.

Neighbours called the police after hearing banging in the early hours of the morning and saw youths fleeing the scene laden down with goods.

Finding McQuoid near the scene, police arrested him and took him to the station for interview.

He told them he had taken the goods from the shop after seeing youths looting tobacco, alcohol and other goods.

Police recovered all the goods stolen by McQuoid, but one bottle of rum had been smashed on the floor.

Tim Hammick, defending, said McQuoid, of Hayward Place, Westbury, came across a group of youths looting Coopers and got in on the act because he had been drinking.

Police found him by following a trail of goods, which had been stolen from the store.

Mr Hammick said McQuoid, who is unable to fully use one hand because of an accident, had only stumbled

on the incident and had not gone out with the intention of stealing.

He said: "My client thought it seemed like a good idea at the time. He is not the sort of person who would normally do this sort of thing.

"It is something his family are not proud of.

"We all hope it's a one-off matter and not the start of a criminal career."

Magistrates heard McQuoid had a previous conviction for a similar offence.

He was fined £100 and ordered to pay compensation to Coopers Foodstore of £8.79 for the broken bottle of rum.

McQuoid will also have to pay prosecution costs of £118.