MARK Hiscock, who smashed a shop window in Devizes out of frustration, confessed the crime to a police officer the next day.

Hiscock, 27, smashed the window at Cole & Son sports shop in the Market Place on June 20, causing damage estimated at £1,152.

Kennet Magistrates' Court in Devizes was told that no-one had witnessed the incident, but Hiscock, of Longs Building, Devizes, felt guilty at what he had done and went to Devizes Police Station at 8.30am the next day.

Stephen Clifford, defending, said Hiscock, who is unemployed, was feeling low at the time of the offence following the deaths the year before of his grandmother, and his brother Gary, who died of leukaemia.

Mr Clifford said: "He says he was out during that evening and felt a complete sense of helplessness and didn't know how to cope with these losses."

Mr Clifford said since the incident Hiscock, who is married with a young daughter, had received counselling and was on anti-depressants.

Hiscock, who has previous convictions, was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay compensation of £100.