A MAN who has admitted to burgling a care home in a village near Durham has been told to expect a significant sentence.

John Peter James, of Woodland Crescent, Kelloe, admitted to breaking in to the Beeches Care Home, in the village on Sunday, June 4.

The 36-year-old, who is in custody at Durham Prison, also admitted to one charge relating to interference with a red Nissan car, with the intention of stealing it.

Both offences took place on the same day.

During a hearing yesterday, Durham Crown Court heard that James had entered at least three rooms at the care home but had not taken anything.

Christopher Baker, prosecuting, told the court his fingerprints had been found on a money box but accepted that he had not stolen anything.

Judge Simon Hickey told the defendant, who has 17 prior convictions, that he had concerns about the vulnerability of some of the care homes residents and told him to expect a “significant sentence”.

He is due to be sentenced on August 14.