A MAN who broke into a house where the occupier was away from home was warned he is now one offence short of becoming a “three-strike” burglar.

Durham Crown Court was told a neighbour contacted the householder to alert them of an attempt to enter their home, in Kell Crescent, Sherburn Hill, on December 12.

Police found ladders, taken from a nearby garden, outside the kitchen window and damage to the window.

A search revealed mud on the kitchen counter and a security latch lifted on internal doors, although no property was taken.

Forensic matches linked Damian Terrence Winter to the crime.

Winter, 42, of Barnard Avenue, Ludworth, made no comment in interview, but admitted the burglary last month.

The crown court sentencing hearing was told his 51 previous offences, include only one for burglary, in 2009.

Laura Miller, for Winter, said it was, “opportunistic acquiring of the ladders”, rather than, “going equipped”.

Recorder Carl Gumsley said Winter was, “on the cusp” of a prison sentence and that one more burglary would result in a minimum three-year sentence, as a “three-strikes” offender.

He imposed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months., with a 12-week 9pm to 7am home curfew, while Winter must attend 20 probation rehabilitation activity days.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054