A BURGLAR who ransacked York Scout Activity Centre has been jailed for six months.

Michael Daniel Warwick, of Stuart Road, York, caused £8,000 of damage to the centre at Snowball Plantation, near Stockton on the Forest.

The 22-year-old targeted the main lodge and storage buildings between 4am and 4.40am on December 4.

Warwick escaped with 11 bows and arrows, cash from a payphone and four micro talk radios.

Evidence gathered by crime scene investigators led to police identifying the suspect.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Warwick was traced and arrested at his home address at 11.05am Sunday.

"Following interview in custody he was charged with burglary and appeared at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

"He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment."

Detective Constable Chris Hogg, of the York Investigation Hub, said: “Michael Warwick has been brought to justice and is now rightfully behind bars. This will give him the opportunity to reflect on his behaviour.

“His callous actions caused great upset in the local community and disruption to the Scout movement in particular.

"I hope the many people affected by this incident can take some comfort in the outcome of the investigation.”

The news comes as a fundraising appeal to help repair the centre reached its target.

Snowball's management team set up a justgiving page with the hope of raising £5,000 - a total which it passed yesterday.

Although the damage put the centre out of action, the team were cheered by the response of supporters.

At the time, a spokesman said: "We would like to thank everybody for their kind comments on social media and offers of support, it is always positive to see the Scouting community coming together, despite the circumstances."

Among those donating to the appeal were Mavis and Wilton Brodie.

They wrote: "Having spent quite a few hours in developing Snowball quite a few years ago we were very disappointed to learn of the act of vandalism. Best of luck in putting it right."

The Snowball Plantation includes camping sites and two main buildings which are surrounded by farmland, and provides a safe environment for scouts and cubs throughout the city.

You can find the funding website at https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/snowball-scouts