A MAN caused thousands of pounds worth of damage before he was caught breaking into a Malvern shop by an alert off-duty policeman.

Simon Bailey, aged 25, broke into the Londis store through the roof.

He set off the burglar alarm during the break-in, which caught the attention of off-duty Sgt Andy Woolhouse as he drank in the nearby Anchor Inn.

Sgt Woolhouse, who is based at Hereford police station but lives in Malvern, went to investigate at the Yates Hay Road store, Worcester magistrates heard yesterday.

Stephen Davis, prosecuting, said the police officer also saw the internal ceiling had been damaged and a television monitor was on the floor of the

premises.

"He called the police and then saw a man in a garden to the left of the premises," said Mr Davis.

"He shouted to him to stand still, but he ran away."

Sgt Woolhouse flagged down the police when they arrived and explained the circumstances, before spotting Bailey in nearby Wilmot Road.

He gave chase and detained him until other officers arrived, Mr Davis said.

Sgt Woolhouse received a bravery commendation at Hereford police station last December, for his actions.

Bailey, of The Tything, Worcester, later admitted being in an enclosed area for an unlawful purpose and causing criminal damage.

The cost of repairing the damage, which included fitting a whole new ceiling and a new CCTV system, was estimated at £8,354. The offence happened on Monday, May 7, last year.

Louise Hooker, defending, said Bailey had been going through a tough time with his partner when he broke into the shop.

"At the time of the offence he was an extremely troubled man," she said.

She added that he was treated for depression at Newtown Hospital and he separated from his girlfriend, which had a positive effect on his life.

"He has left his criminal life behind him," said Miss Hooker.

Magistrates gave him an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £500 compensation, with £55 costs.

The Londis store owner, Derek Cooke, praised Sgt Woolhouse for his actions.

"He came over here and decided to do his job even though he wasn't on duty, and that's all credit to him," he said.

"It was absolutely brilliant. In terms of the sentence the man received, it probably wasn't what everyone wanted."