A DRUNKEN vandal who smashed up Benarty Primary School last year causing £30,000 of damage has been jailed.

Dale Richardson caused so much damage that the school had to close for a few days.

He was first seen on CCTV at around 7.15pm on May 1, 2017, approaching the rear doors of the school and attempting to enter the building before running off around the corner.

He was then seen by passers-by approaching an external door in the playground and entering the school after an alarm was activated.

A witness went to see what Richardson was doing and he saw him in the building lifting items and smashing them on the floor.

Although he acknowledged the witness was there he continued to damage property.

After he was seen on CCTV approaching an external door on a school scooter. When the police arrived at around 7.30pm they saw a broken window at the rear of the school and they heard noise coming from inside the building.

When they saw the accused he ran off and jumped over a garage roof.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that there was substantial damage to the doors, corridors and computer monitors.

When Richardson was arrested he first denied that it was him and told police that they must have mistaken him for someone else.

The cost to Fife Council was estimated to be £30,000.

Richardson, 22, of Rosewell Drive, Lochore, previously admitted that on May 1, at Benarty Primary School, he did maliciously destroy or damage the property belonging to another and did smash windows, break doors, destroy computer equipment and damage other items.

Defence solicitor, Alexander Flett, said his client had a learning difficulty and had not committed any further offences since the incident in May last year.

He said Richardson had been in a lot in the courts throughout 2016 but since his release from prison last August he had reflected on his behaviour and reduced his alcohol intake.

"He has no recollection of being in the school," Mr Flett said.

"He had been drinking alcohol with family members and it was something of a surprise to him when he was questioned by the police on this matter."

Sheriff Charles Macnair told Richardson: "This was a remarkable piece of malicious damage.

"You went into the school and were clearly there for some time causing damage throughout the building.

"The school was closed for some days which would have had an impact on the children and their families.

"You continued to cause damage even when witnesses came into the school. You also have a record that involves offences of vandalism."

Richardson was jailed for 220 days.