Cash was stolen and damage caused when a curious teenager with aspirations to join the armed forces broke into an amusement arcade.

Oliver French, of James Street, Neyland, appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday, March 18, having previously pleaded guilty to burglary.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, said French, 18, was one of three teenagers who stole £200 from a machine and caused £100 of damage to a ticket machine when they entered an amusement arcade on Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, as trespassers on June 18.

The trio of youths were identified by forensic evidence and French made admissions when interviewed, adding that he was very drunk at the time.

He told officers he realised he had the money on him when he woke up, panicked and spent it.

David Elvy, defending, said French was previously of clean character and had cooperated fully with police.

He added that French had been working in a burger van at a Great Yarmouth air show when the offence occurred.

“In the evening he unfortunately drank to excess. They went to a near-by amusement arcade, one of them leant against a door, which opened, and they went in to look around.

“Initially they were just curious, but machines were broken into.

“He did not break into the machines, but benefited from it, he spent the money in a panic to get rid of it.”

“It was a spur of the moment thing.”

Mr Elvy said French had stayed out of trouble since the incident, and hoped to join the armed forces.

Magistrates fined French £80 and ordered him to pay £100 compensation, plus £115 in court costs and a surcharge.

The chairman of the bench said: “I hope that you can put this behind you now and wish you the best in your forces career.”