A 40-year-old man from Bournemouth, Dorset has been handed an 18-month community order and must pay £3,000 in compensation after pleading guilty to criminal damage in New Milton.

Craig Anthony Trott, of Knole Road, was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday 13 November), having admitted the offence at a previous hearing at the same court on Wednesday 11 September.

At yesterday’s sentencing, Trott was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The sentencing follows an incident in the early hours of the morning on Sunday 28 January.

During the incident, Trott used a hammer to smash windows belonging to LSB Electrical on Station Road, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage in the process.

Investigating the incident, PC Tom Jelly, of New Milton Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “I am pleased with this outcome at court and to see that Trott has been punished and held accountable for his actions that night.

“People who are simply trying to make a living should not have this interrupted by someone who has no regard for another person’s property.

“Actions have consequences, as has again been proven in this case. We will not tolerate this type of behaviour and criminality, and we will always be relentless in our pursuit of those responsible.

“If you too are considering causing damage to someone’s property, please rest assured that we will work tirelessly in our investigation to ensure that you are arrested, charged, brought before the courts, and punished for your actions.”