A burglar could not be sentenced today as the building he had broken into was the court itself.

Arturas Labanauskas returned to Maidstone Magistrates' Court today, nearly six months after breaking in and stealing a computer in July 2019.

The 35-year-old caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to Maidstone Magistrates' Court, but he could not be sentenced there as it is considered a victim in the case.

Gill Fryzer, chairing the magistrates bench, said: "The bench's view is it is not appropriate to sentence here today."

The court heard Labanauskas, from Coral Park, Maidstone, used a large stone to smash his way into the magistrates court, which neighbours Maidstone Police Station, at around 5am on July 7 last year.

Once inside, the Lithuanian national entered the reception and a court room, throwing around bins and knocking over a water dispenser.

Labanauskas, who was joined by a translator in the dock, then stole a computer from the usher's office.

The Crown Prosecution Service placed the cost of the damage at £2,365.73 The stolen computer was worth £202.38.

Security told KentOnline the court was "trashed" when they opened on July 8.

The magistrates' court had to be closed for a day so police could carry out its investigation, meaning 14 cases had to be moved to Maidstone Crown Court in nearby Barker Road.

Police managed to identify the burglar from blood left on a court door and through CCTV footage.

When Labanauskas was arrested in December, police carried out a search of his property and discovered a tub of cannabis in his kitchen.

Today Labanauskas admitted to one count of burglary and one count of possession of cannabis.

Ms Fryzer said: "We have heard your guilty pleas to burglary and possession of cannabis but we can't sentence you today.

"It would not be right for this court to sentence you, so you will need to go to Medway Magistrates Court."

The burglar will appear at Medway Magistrates Court on February 18 for a pre-sentence report to be heard.

A victim impact statement written on behalf of Maidstone Magistrates' Court may be read out during the hearing.

Labanauskas remains on bail in the mean time, and must appear at Maidstone Police Station, metres from the scene of crime, twice a week.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone.