A burglar who broke into a Tesco Extra superstore was caught after his DNA was discovered on a rock he used to try to break a window. 

Joe Cartman, 42, was arrested over the break-in at the supermarket at Blue Boar Lane in Sprowston in the early hours of June 11 last year. 

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told a whiskey bottle used to collect unwanted foreign coins donated to charity by customers of the store’s bureau de change had been stolen in the bungled raid.

Sarah Fiddy, prosecuting, said it had been a “very unsophisticated” break-in with Cartman and another trespasser first using a rock to try to break a window and then a rubbish bin to force open a fire exit.

READ MORE: Norwich woman admits break-in at Harford Bridge Tesco

The incident had also been captured on CCTV before the pair made off on pedal cycles, she added.

The court was told Cartman, of Clancy Road, Norwich, who pleaded guilty to burglary, has 105 previous offences.   

Magistrates told him “all opinions” were open, including imprisonment, as they ordered a pre-sentence report.  

He will be sentenced on March 15.