A man who broke into a Clydebank nursery left a trail of his own blood for staff and police to find.

John Walker made off with £1500 worth of goods from Nursery Times by the River that he sold at a tech shop in Glasgow.

Prosecutors said nursery staff were told of their alarm going at 11.50pm on July 22, 2023.

They went to the centre but nobody was there and contacted police.

Officers found a window smashed and blood throughout the nursery, particularly on the shattered glass.

Three tablet devices, various charging cables and an electric scooter were taken, worth £1500 total.

DNA from the blood matched Walker and he was later arrested.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court was told on October 15 that the 39-year-old made full admissions to officers. He sold the tablets to a tech store in the city and abandoned the scooter.

"I'm sorry, it was a stupid mistake," he told them after being cautioned and charged.

Walker, of Earl Street, Scotstoun, pleaded guilty to the break-in and theft.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Paul said his client had experienced trauma from a very early age and used both drugs and alcohol as an "emotional crutch".

"He understands the impact it has had," he said. "He is very ashamed. I think he is disappointed in himself. He appreciates he put himself in this position."

Sheriff Seith Ireland asked how there could be an alternative to custody for a break-in.

He was told Walker is the principal carer for a seven-month-old baby.

The sheriff said: "But for the child, I would consider custody to be extraordinarily likely. In my view, that's the only matter that saves you from going into custody today."

As a direct alternative to custody, he imposed a community payback order with a year of supervision by social workers.

There will also be a 7pm to 7am curfew for the next four months.

The sheriff added: "I appreciate you had a difficult upbringing but you're an adult so there's no excuse."