CRAIG Anthony Trott has been handed a community order after admitting he smashed shop windows with a hammer in New Milton.

The 40-year-old, of Knole Road, Bournemouth, was handed an 18-month community order and must pay £3,000 in compensation after pleading guilty to criminal damage.

Trott was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (November 13), having admitted the offence at a previous hearing in September.

On Wednesday, he 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, January 28, when Trott used a hammer to smash windows at LSB Electrical, in Station Road, New Milton, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

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.”