A MAN who admitted raiding a Bournemouth business has been spared an immediate prison sentence by magistrates.

Junior Scarlett broke into the Jungle Café in West Hill Road late at night on December 3.

Café owner Pavel Paska said Scarlett caused around £3,000-worth of damage - but made off with just £100.

The defendant appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court for sentence this month.

Despite admitting the burglary, the theft of a Bosch drill from a property in St Michael's Road, Bournemouth on December 12 and failing to surrender to the custody of the court on December 22, Scarlett, 41, was sentenced to four weeks in prison suspended for six months.

He was ordered to complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for a maximum of 15 days and pay compensation of £500 to Mr Paska.

No order for costs was made.

Scarlett was arrested after a man living in the building next to the Jungle Café was alerted to the break in and tailed him through the streets.

The good Samaritan, 27, said a neighbour told him of the burglary.

He called police and followed Scarlett, who appeared to be "staggering" as he walked through the town. At one point, the man, who didn't want to be named, said Scarlett turned and saw him before taking off his hoodie and putting it in a bin.

Eventually, Scarlett climbed over the gate of a nearby property. Police arrived and he was arrested.

Café owner Pavel Paska said a till was smashed on the floor during the raid. A freezer was also overturned, which spoiled around £700-worth of stock, he said.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Mr Paska said police quickly attended, and fingerprints were found on a window.

On the same night as the incident at the café, both Shwan Barbershop in Richmond Hill and Tapas Plus in Bourne Avenue were also burgled.

Scarlett was not charged in connection with either of the burglaries.