A MAN who admitted stealing food and tobacco from an Ipswich convenience store could face jail.Gary Jay, pleaded guilty to burgling Garrick Way's Happy Shopper store after his blood sample matched that found on the shop's door frame.

A MAN who admitted stealing food and tobacco from an Ipswich convenience store could face jail.

Gary Jay, pleaded guilty to burgling Garrick Way's Happy Shopper store after his blood sample matched that found on the shop's door frame.

South East Suffolk Magistrates today heard that Jay and another man were seen breaking into the shop on January 7.

Gareth Davies prosecuting, said: "In the early hours two men were seen smashing the glass area in the front door of the Happy Shopper store, they were then seen running away from the scene."

The court heard that Mr Baldry, the shopkeeper, discovered more than £800 of tobacco, food, confectionery and toiletries had been stolen. Damage to the door was estimated at £200.

Jay admitted that he had taken about £100 of goods from the shop and that his co-defendant, who has not been arrested, must have taken items up to £700.

Jay, 39, of Browning Road, Ipswich, initially denied burglary but changed his plea after forensics linked blood found at the scene to him.

Jay, who has previous convictions including assault also pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to surrender to bail.

He was told by magistrates: "We should warn you that there is a risk of imprisonment."

Jay was released from court on conditional bail and is due back before Magistrates on August 30 for sentencing. A pre sentence report was ordered.