A 27 year old man who smashed windows at two adjoining shops in Cinderford has been jailed for a year.

Magistrates in Cheltenham told Thomas Archer that he had to serve an immediate prison term because of the high value of the criminal damage and the fact that he was in breach of existing suspended sentence and community orders at the time of the offences.

Archer, of unknown address, pleaded guilty to destroying five windows at the Original Factory Shop and two windows at the Real Deal store next door on November 6, 2023.

He was jailed for six months for each offence and ordered to pay £187 compensation.

The court stated: "The offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified. Reason for custody: high value, significant impact on businesses, record, committed during period of suspended sentence and community order."