A churchgoing burglar in a suit who stole drills and a laptop from an Ipswich waterfront pub has been jailed for eight weeks.

Shaun Jacobs, of Fore Street, Ipswich, admitted breaking-into Isaac’s on August 2 last year when he appeared before the town’s magistrates.

The two drills and Dell laptop he stole when the bar’s extension was being built were valued at a total of £1,300.

The burglary put the 45-year-old in breach of a suspended prison sentence he was given on May 2 last year for various offences.

Jacobs, who has issues with drugs and alcohol, had 25 previous convictions for 63 offences before his latest conviction.

Prosecutor Colette Harper said the break-in occurred when Isaac’s was closed on Sunday, May 2, between 8.40pm and 8.50pm.

Jacobs gained entry to the new extension, which was still to be finished, by kicking and pushing some plywood.

CCTV showed him going to a blue tool box and then leaving the premises with a laptop, Dewalt drill and a Hilti cordless drill belonging to a tradesman who was doing work on the extension.

Dino Barricella, representing Jacobs, said: “It was not premeditated or planned. Mr Jacobs that morning went to church. CCTV shows he’s in a suit.”

The court was told Jacobs had been drinking while on medication before the burglary.

Mr Barricella said: “He’s walking past (Isaac’s), sees there’s a light on. He then goes in. He sees these items and then takes them.”

Magistrates were told it was an opportunistic break-in. Jacobs had no gloves on and was still wearing his suit.

After his arrest Jacobs had engaged with a drug agency for treatment and had sought help for his alcohol problem.