A MAN who had been mixing alcohol and medication smashed his way into a nursery and a junior school, ransacking offices in both buildings.

Blackburn magistrates heard that James Tate Campsie Cain stole a £710 laptop from Roe Lee Park school which he later sold to his cannabis dealer for £80.

And the court heard that the total cost of Cain's drunken exploits was £1,300.

Cain, 32, of Peridot Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to burglary at 21st Century Kids nursery on Emerald Street with intent to steal and burglary at the school. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report with a warning that custody would be an option for the sentencing bench.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said a toughened glass window had been smashed to gain entry to the nursery and Cain had been traced through a DNA hit on blood left on the glass. "Nothing was actually taken but a lot of mess was left behind," said Miss Allan.

The school was broken into the same night and a window was smashed to get in through a fire escape. An internal door was forced and drawers emptied onto the floor.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Cain was finding it difficult to deal with a health problem and had been drinking a lot more.