A drunk burglar has been jailed after smashing his way into a café on the hunt for more booze.

CCTV footage released by British Transport Police shows 40-year-old Ricky Hodgkins breaking into the snack bar, at Margate station in Kent, face-first at around 8pm on 26 March.

In search of more alcohol, Hodgkins, of no fixed address, broke a window and tried to tip-toe across kitchen worktops before missing a step and crashing to the floor.

A member of railway staff saw Hodgkin’s foot slipping through the broken window, and challenged the thief before calling BTP. Officers arrived to find him holding an armful of beer.

Hodgkins claimed to have bought the drink from Tesco and insisted the bleeding from his wrists and left knee were injuries he said he sustained in a fight earlier that day.

Police also discovered empty bottles of wine and beer strewn inside the café.

Hodgkins continued to deny any wrongdoing, even claiming he had been let inside the closed cafe by a staff member.

But he slipped up by asking officers to fetch his carrier bag from below the broken window.

He eventually admitted the burglary while being treated in hospital.

PC Gary Reader, of British Transport Police, said: ‘The footage is very conclusive. Despite his claims, Hodgkins clearly broke into the café on his hunt for more alcohol.

‘He did it in plain sight, on video and left further evidence behind as he clambered into the building.

‘Stations, and the shops within, are well covered by CCTV, and that’s evidence we’ll always use to identify criminals and make sure they see justice.’

Hodgkins pleaded guilty to burglary at Caterbury Magistrates’ Court, as well as to a criminal damage charge arising out of an incident when he spat inside the police van taking him to custody.

He was jailed for 90 days after a hearing on 28 March.

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