'Nasty' burglar ransacked offices of Leeds city centre fashion firm and left the premises covered in faeces

Michael Forbes carried out the 'nasty and unpleasant' raid at the Delta Connex offices on Call Lane in Leeds city centre in the early hours of July 5 this year.

Leeds Crown Court heard Forbes managed to get into the self-contained offices at Rutland House via a fire escape stairwell.

Shocked staff discovered the break-in at 6.30am and called police.

Emily Jenkins, prosecuting, said Forbes defecated in a bin and spread faeces around the offices.

Police crime scene investigators found the premises had been entirely ransacked.

Almost every drawer had been emptied on to the floor.

Forbes, 39, was identified as the suspect when his fingerprint was found at the scene.

He was arrested at his room at the Brittannia Hotel in Leeds on July 21.

Footwear and clothing were found in the room which matched those worn by the burglar on CCTV footage of the incident.

Miss Jenkins said Forbes stole a cash tin containing £500, two Oyster cards valued at £50, a bottle of vodka and a necklace.

Items from the office had to be destroyed because of the damage including televisions, computer equipment, boxes of design samples, face masks and handbags.

The company had to pay £1,000 to have the offices deep cleaned after the incident.

Forbes was interviewed and said he had a problem with drink and drugs and could not remember if he had carried out the offence.

He pleaded guilty to burglary.

He has 42 previous convictions for offences including burglary and criminal damage.

Stephen Swan, mitigating, said Forbes was using non-prescription drugs which may have affected his ability to recall the offence.

Mr Swan said his client has been in custody since his arrest and has been proscribed methadone while in prison.

Forbes was jailed for ten months.

Judge Penelope Belcher said: "It was thoroughly disgusting.

"It was a thoroughly nasty and unpleasant offence.

"It is aggravated by your previous convictions and the commission of the offence while under the influence of alcohol or drugs."