A MAN who suspected his best friend was having an affair with his girlfriend has appeared before Truro magistrates.

Sebastian Patrick David Thomas, aged 25, who was living at Tresowes Green, near Germoe, but is now in Rosehill Gardens, Penzance, had admitted three offences last month.

He pleaded guilty to theft from Boots in Penzance, criminal damage and assault by beating.

Prosecutor Anita Kennett told the court on Monday that Thomas had punched a window of a property in Penzance on January 11.

He had followed the two victims to his girlfriend's home and he called up to the enclosed flat via the buzzer, "shouting loudly".

When they did not answer he punched a window and the male victim was struck by fragments of glass. Thomas did not accept that they "had a tussle", however.

On a separate occasion on December 10 last year, he stole £108.99 worth of gift sets from Boots in Penzance.

Probation officer Steve Butterworth gave a detailed assessment of Thomas, whom he said had been using heroin from the age of 21.

He said that the two main issues which he needed to address were his drug use and his interaction in relationships. 

Magistrates imposed a two-year community order to include attending Building Better Relationships course and a drug rehabilitation requirement. 

He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay £108.99 compensation to Boots and £150 to the victim. 

There was no order for costs or victim surcharge.