A man made a 'spur of the moment' decision to smash the window of a jewellery shop and grab a £3,000 watch – while under the influence of both alcohol and Valium.

Ross Mcmaneny, 23, smashed the window of Philip John Jewellers, on King Street, in Great Yarmouth, on October 8, making off with a Rolex watch, a court was told.

He was then chased off by a nearby shopkeeper, throwing the watch down before being apprehended by the man, breaking his leg in the process.

The shopkeeper then held him until police officers came to arrest him.

Appearing on crutches at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court, Mcmaneny, of Old Fire Station Court, Great Yarmouth, pleaded guilty to theft.

Josephine Jones, prosecuting, said Mcmaneny had answered 'no comment' to all questions in police interview, with the exception of admitting to have taken Valium on the day of the incident, which he had used to self-medicate to 'keep him stable if he had a fit'.

Miss Jones added that the damage Mcmaneny had caused to the window would cost in the region of £300 to £400 to repair.

Robert Barley, mitigating, said: 'This was not a professional offence. It was a spur of the moment action that was not planned.'

Mr Barley added that the offence was 'out of character' for Mcmaneny.

Probation officer Julie McCormack said: 'He is very depressed and is finding his situation very difficult to deal with – he is extremely remorseful.'

She added that Mcmaneny has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and recommended that he continue his engagements with this,

Mcmaneny was given a £75 fine and ordered to pay £85 in compensation.

He was also given a 15 day rehabilitation action requirement.