A man was found with a crowbar and two screw drivers moments after trying to burgle a gym.

Paul Dennet, of no fixed address, then assaulted a member of staff in the court room during his hearing.

The 29-year-old had been trying to burgle Fitness Space in Harpenden, in the early hours of last Wednesday morning.

As police searched the area, the operator alerted them to three people heading towards Harpenden Railway Station in Station Road.

The people were then stopped and searched.

Dennet, who was among them, was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary and in breach of a court order after a crowbar and two screwdrivers were found on him.

He then appeared at West and Central Herts Magistrates Court in St Albans later the same day, where he is reported to have assaulted a member of the court.

Dennet pleaded guilty and was jailed for eight weeks and ordered to pay £400 for the attempted burglary, £100 compensation for criminal damage and £50 for the assault.

St Albans Neighbourhood Inspector Jon Roche said: “This is another great example of the police and council working in cooperation to keep the district a safe place.

“Residents should be reassured that we continue to strengthen our relationship by doing so.”