A BARNSTAPLE teenager who "thrives" on being in prison has been jailed for three offences, including burglary from a dwelling.

Danny Hawkins, 18, of Lundy Close, also pleaded guilty, via video link at North Devon Magistrates' Court on Thursday last week, to being in possession of a Class B drug and breaching a community order.

Magistrates sentenced Hawkins, who they said had "a long history of offences", to 14 weeks in prison.

Alison Jordan, for the prosecution, said Hawkins left a plastic bag containing more than £250 worth of amphetamine on the counter of the Spar shop in Newport Road, on May 1.

She said: "He came in and put the bag on the counter. The shop assistant and manager asked the male what they were to do with it. He grunted, stared at them and left the store."

Miss Jordan said the burglary was committed on July 10 after Hawkins asked to use a homeowner's toilet at an address in Hughes Avenue.

Magistrates heard the woman refused entry to Hawkins but he went upstairs anyway.

Miss Jordan said he took a pair of jeans, rosary beads worth about 50p and a Samsung mobile phone from one of the bedrooms.

He gave the jeans back to the woman before he left the house, the court heard.

Tim Hook, for the defence, said Hawkins' many previous convictions were not "heinous" offences but were due to his "impulsive behaviour and lack of consequential thinking".

He said leaving the drugs on the counter was "the most extraordinary" of offences.

He said: "I don't think in all the courts' experience you could experience anything like this.

"He could not have possibly wanted the drugs himself or else he would not have put it on the counter. It was a completely nonsensical action."

He also said the burglary was "devoid of any logical explanation".

Mr Hook argued Hawkins should not be put in prison because he seemed to "thrive" in that environment, which would eventually be a greater cost to society.

He said Hawkins had spent time in a young offenders institute for 12 months in 2008 after some "horse play" — during which a 14-year-old suffered brain damage.

Mr Hook said Hawkins had also been before the court this year for assaulting his girlfriend, but this was due to "youthful immaturity".

Sentencing, presiding magistrate Jane Kivlin said: "You do have a very worrying history for someone so young. We are concerned about the opportunities you have missed to turn your life around."

He was sentenced to eight weeks custody for the burglary and six weeks in custody for the drug offence, less the 39 days he has already spent in prison. He was also given four weeks to run concurrently for breaching the terms of a community order.

Mrs Kivlin said aggravating factors included the homeowner being at the scene of the burglary.