A THIRSTY burglar broke into an ice cream van and stole £1,500 worth of goodies - including a Slush Puppie machine.

Joshua Jackson forced his way into a catering van in East Mersea to steal the iced drinks machine and cans of fizzy drink.

But bungling Jackson was caught by police after his fingerprints were found on a black bin bag which owner Chloe Argent had left in the catering van overnight.

Jackson, 21, a former Clacton Pier employee, who the court heard was “severely intoxicated” at the time of the raid on the C&R Catering van, admitted he could not remember the incident.

He said he had no idea where the drink cans and the Slush machine had ended up.

Stephen Sparkes, prosecuting, said: “The owner had cleaned the van the night before and had left a black bin bag over an area of the van.

“She returned the next morning at about 8am and the doors had been ripped off.

“The Slush machine had been taken, as well as other stock.”

“During police investigations, Mr Jackson’s fingerprints were found on a black bin bag, which his what led officers to him.”

As a result of the break-in, the van - which is used predominantly for public events - was out of action and the company had to cancel three bookings.

It meant the firm lost thousands of pounds in income.

Jackson, whose address was given as Harcourt Avenue, Harwich, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court to admit two burglary charges in August last year.

Gareth Hunter, mitigating, said: “He believes he was quite heavily intoxicated and has very little recollection of the actual event.

“He accepts his fingerprints are there and he has a vague recollection of being in the area at the time.

“This is not somebody who is regularly before the court.

“He had been working at Clacton Pier but he is now sofa surfing with friends and family.”

“He is deeply ashamed and deeply regrets this.

“He isn’t someone who goes around regularly breaking into places.

“Perhaps his intoxication is summed up in that he does not even recall at what point he left the machine and other items.”

Magistrates heard Jackson does not claim benefits because he does not have photo identification.

He was instead ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £500 compensation to C&R Catering. The sum will be paid at £10 per fortnight.