A BURGLAR who ransacking a chemist in Heywood - and sought to take medication worth £10,000 - has been jailed for 12 months by a judge.

Gary Nicholls was caught red-handed after breaking into a branch of Boots in Heywood, Minshull Street Crown Court was told.

Prosecutors say police were on patrol in Heywood town centre, on April 11, at around 1.50am, when they received reports of man breaking into the chemists, on Market Street, with a hammer.

The court heard that when the officers arrived on the scene they found that the window to the left of the entrance had been smashed enough to allow someone to get into the store.

And the police believed that they could see someone moving around inside, the court was told.

Lisa Boocock, prosecuting, said Nicholl was confronted inside the premises and arrested by the officers.

When he was detained, she said. they found a bag containing a number of medications, some razors and a trimmer.

Miss Boocock said that damaged to other medication, as a result of the raid, meant it could not be used or sold.

Nicholls, of Weaver Close Heywood, pleaded guilty to burglary and bail offences and was given a 12-month prison term, suspended for 18 months. No compensation was ordered due to his lack of means.

He must complete a 12-month drug rehabilitation order and 15 days of rehabilitation activities with the probation service.