DRINKERS at a social club helped to barricade in a man who had attempted to rob the club's takings, a court heard.

Heroin addict Peter McGlade was discovered by a steward at Priory Social Club, in Marton Road, Middlesbrough, in a secure area behind the bar where the safe was housed with a screwdriver in his hand.

The steward shut him behind a door and was helped by several customers to detain him there until police arrived.

McGlade, 47, of Marton Road, had smashed a window to get into adjoining accommodation at the club then forced entry to a room where the club's safe was kept.

The burglary happened at about 10.50pm on August 9 last year.

Nigel Soppitt, for McGlade, who admitted burglary, suggested he was getting too old for such offending.

Mr Soppitt said the defendant had previously been spending £30 a day on heroin. He had also been remanded in custody since his arrest for the burglary.

Recorder Toby Hedworth said that because of this if he were to send him to jail, he would not have a very long time to serve at all.

He told McGlade: “Unusually because of the time you have already spent in custody this is a chance to go out into the world, hopefully drug free.”

The judge gave the defendant a 12 month long community order, with supervision, and also said he would do 100 hours unpaid work.