A burglar who took part in a raid on a Greggs bakery industrial unit in Bristol when keys to all the company's shops in the south west were stolen has been jailed for nine months.

Lee Potter was acting as a lookout when he went with others to the Greggs the Bakers unit in Lescren Way, Avonmouth, where he helped steal a safe containing £1,442 before partners in crime stole a Mercedes van.

A Recorder at Bristol Crown Court heard that inside the van were tools and keys to all the Greggs shops in the south west.

The theft of the keys meant the company had to have all its locks changed at a cost of £16,000, it was heard.

Potter, aged 38, of Lawrence Weston Road, Lawrence Weston, Bristol, was later arrested when his footprints were matched to those found at the scene and he admitted one charge of burglary.

John Penny, prosecuting, said the break-in at the Avonmouth bakery was discovered by the manager at 4.50am on July 20 last year.

"He described the shutters as having been attacked and the offices burgled.

"A Mercedes van worth £12,000 was missing from the car park and a safe that had been in the office was missing. It had had in it £1,442.

"In the van and concerning the owners of Greggs were keys to all the Greggs shops in the south west and maintenance tools worth £3,000.

"All the locks had to be changed at a cost of £16,000," said Mr Penny.

He said the van had been sold in Stoke-on-Trent with different number plates and was recovered.

Mr Penny said a forensic scientist lifted Potter's shoe prints from the scene which were linked to the defendant when he was arrested for an unrelated matter three days later.

Sarah Regan, defending, said her client admitted taking part in the planned burglary by acting as a look out and helping to lift the safe when it had fallen off a trolley.

She said he knew nothing about the van and its contents and was paid £50 for taking part.

Miss Regan said her client had a record of acquisitive offending and committed crimes to fund his drug habit.

Jailing Potter for nine months, Recorder Mr Nigel Lickley QC said: "This is a case concerning the burglary of commercial premises and goods taken of high value.

"This was a serious offence targeting commercial premises. It involved an element of planning.

"You are a man with a significant criminal past. This case is so serious only custody can be justified."