A DRUNKEN burglar who discarded a till, charity box, and cash, in a householder’s garden is starting a 20-week jail term today.

Edward Walker admitted burglary on what was scheduled to have been the first day of his trial before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court.

The 40-year-old, formerly of Leopold Road, Felixstowe, broke into the Premier Estate Stores in Bramford Lane, Ipswich, on November 4.

Prosecutor Laura Kenyon told the court that just after 3.30am a resident living near the shop heard banging. She looked out of her window to see Walker approaching the store and kicking a glass panel two or three times.

The court heard police were called and a short time later Walker was seen by two doormen walking along carrying an electronic till while wearing a black balaclava.

When officers arrived in the area they found Walker in Shafto Road. He was not carrying the till, but still had the balaclava and gloves.

The till, which contained around �100, and a Macmillan Cancer charity box with money in were subsequently found in a garden elsewhere in Shafto Road.

The magistrates heard Walker claimed to have been out walking after falling out with his girlfriend.

However, glass fragments which matched those from the shop and were unusual in their nature, were discovered on Walker’s clothing.

Walker, who was said to have been drunk at the time of his arrest, has more than 30 previous convictions, many of which are for dishonesty, the court was told.

The most recent was when he was convicted on August 8 this year for burglary and theft. On that occasion he smashed a window at a hair salon and took a till and a money box containing more than �100 in cash.

Have your business been affected by a burglary? E-mail starletters@archant.co.uk or write to Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.