A MAN smashed the door of a betting shop in Glasgow before breaking in and stealing £20 worth of items.

Stephen McKee was caught on CCTV throwing a rock at the front door of a Ladbrokes store at Duke Street, Parkhead, on June 14 this year.

This caused the door’s glass window to smash.

McKee, of Easterhouse, picked up the rock and threw it a second time, causing further damage.

The 42-year-old entered the store and disconnected the CCTV system by pulling the plug from the socket.

He took a metal tray and its contents and a bag of tickets from the office before leaving.

Police were contacted and traced him at a nearby bus stop, still holding the bag and tray.

Cops noticed McKee had shattered glass on him. He was arrested and taken to Helen Street police office where he was cautioned and charged and made no reply.

He appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Wednesday after previously pleading guilty to breaking into the store and stealing.

The prosecutor revealed the stolen items were worth £20 and there was full recovery, however, details about the cost of the damaged door were not available.

Sheriff Patricia Pryce said: “He has a horrendous record from when he was younger. He’s a man who’s got a huge record but was on the straight and narrow for four years.

McKee’s lawyer revealed her client was self-medicating through alcohol at the time of the incident but is doing “a lot better now”.

Sheriff Pryce told him: “Every time you drink alcohol you get yourself into bother. I’ll impose a direct alternative to custody. You have shown you can manage life without offending.”

He was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and be under social work supervision for 12 months.