CHRISTOPHER Taylor burrowed through the floor of an empty flat to steal second hand goods from the shop below.Taylor, 46, is to be assessed for a drug treatment and testing order after admitting burgling Cash Traders on Bramford Road, Ipswich, between January 21 and 22.

CHRISTOPHER Taylor burrowed through the floor of an empty flat to steal second hand goods from the shop below.

Taylor, 46, is to be assessed for a drug treatment and testing order after admitting burgling Cash Traders on Bramford Road, Ipswich, between January 21 and 22.

He was rumbled after the owner of the premises, David Fisher, entered his shop to find plaster all over the counter and a hole in the ceiling.

Mr Fisher checked the flat to find the door ajar, prosecutor Gareth Davies told South East Suffolk Magistrates sitting in Ipswich.

He found the carpet on the floor of the lounge in the flat was pulled back and the floorboards taken up.

"A one foot square hole was created in order to gain access to the floor below," said Mr Davies.

Some electrical items were missing from the shop, including a camera, mobile phone, and cash.

A fingerprint found in the bedroom of the flat matched Mr Taylor's.

Taylor, of Mill Lane, Lower Somersham, who has previous convictions, was arrested on suspicion of burglary, which he denied.

"His background is a rather chequered and tragic one involving difficulty with family life," said Nicky Edgar, mitigating.

The court heard Taylor relapsed back into drug dependency and was terrified of going to prison because he supports the family.

She asked for Taylor's sentencing to be adjourned so he can be assessed for a drug treatment and testing order.

Bench chairwoman Angela Pratt agreed to adjourn the case until April 8 to check his suitability.