AN "idiotic" attempt to raid a Droitwich DIY store was foiled when the would-be thief was knocked down by a shock from an electric fence, a court heard.

Wayne Lewis stole a ladder from a nearby builder's yard before scaling a fence at Homebase, off the A38, in a bid to take items from the store.

The 27-year-old was sentenced to three months in prison after admitting one count of theft and one of attempted theft at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday.

Kiernan Cunningham, prosecuting, said, during an interview with police, Lewis, of Hanbury Wharf, Droitwich, admitted taking the ladder with intent to steal property to fund a £20-a-day drink and drug habit.

"This is a fairly straightforward but idiotic type of offence," added Dale Sheehan. "He tries to get in without thinking about what he does when in there, or in order to get out.

"He gets an electrical shock at the top of the ladder, falls off and makes his way back home where he is later arrested."

Mr Sheehan appealed to district judge Bruce Morgan to spare his client from jail, saying he was making good progress under a rehabilitation order.

But Mr Morgan said the court had previously "leant over backwards" to help Lewis while he collected 32 convictions in the past 10 years.

"I'm afraid you've come to the end of the road. The court has to protect owners of commercial premises from people who just look at them as places to go to steal to feed their illegal habit," said Mr Morgan.