Superheroes were not needed to catch a thief who stole figures from a Colchester comic book store.

Stephen Stewart, 40, used his fist to smash a window at ACE Comics in Culver Street on October 1 last year.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard Stewart, of Eldred Avenue, cut himself in the process and left blood at the crime scene – which police matched his DNA from.

Phillip Pearson, prosecuting, said a mixture of Marvel and DC character figures – including Batman’s arch-enemy the Joker – were stolen, valued at £200. Window repairs also cost between £500-£550.

Magistrates heard Stewart had a heroin addiction at the time of the offence, but has been clean since meeting a new partner in November and with the help of the Open road charity.

They sentenced Stewart to a 12-month community order, and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Stewart must also pay £400 in compensation. No order was made for costs or court charges due to Stewart’s low income.