AN "aimless" teenage burglar wept in the dock as a judge told him he was a burden on his supportive grandmother.

Corey Chapple, 18, of Whitecroft, Williton, used a hammer to smash into the Spar shop in Watchet twice in just over a month, stealing a total of £90-worth of alcohol and causing damage valued at £2,800.

Chapple was handed a suspended jail term at Taunton Crown Court and told to take possession of his own life by the judge after admitting the two burglaries and further counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possession of a knife and possession of cannabis.

The court heard that he targeted the shop after closing time in December last year and the following month - he was caught after his DNA was picked up on the hammer he left behind when he fled the scene in the first incident, while he was identified from CCTV image on the second occasion.

The shop owner was alerted both times by "loud banging and the alarm going off" and saw two men running away.

The court was also told that in March Chapple was at Butlin's, where a member of staff approached him when he was spotted smoking cannabis.

Chapple, who had been drinking heavily, became aggressive and jabbed at the employee with a knife, causing a small wound to the victim's stomach.

The court heard that Chapple, who had no previous convictions and currently suffers medical problems, is being looked after by his grandmother.

Judge David Evans said: "You have had an unfortunate and troubled upbringing, but no-one can place all the blame for ending up like you have ended up on other people.

"You have lived life recently pretty aimlessly, even though you have had significant support from your grandmother.

"If you take possession of your own life you might make something of it."

He imposed a three months prison sentence on each burglary count, six months for the ABH, a month for possession of cannabis and three months for possession of a knife. All counts are to run concurrently and have been suspended for 18 months.