A NOTORIOUS burglar who broke his ankle jumping from a bedroom window at the home he was breaking into is back behind bars.

Shane Preston, from Darlington, was described by police as a "blight on the community" after he admitted to breaking into a house in Park Lane on May 17. 

He has been jailed for four years. 

The well-known offender was collecting items to steal when he was disturbed by the homeowner who had returned home.

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In a bid to escape, the 31-year-old jumped out of a first-floor bedroom window and broke his ankle in multiple places as he landed on the ground below.

Preston’s bike was also found in the back yard of the property, which had a large masonry chisel wedged into the frame.

An investigation was launched by Darlington Volume Crime Team, who charged Preston, of Elmfield Street, Darlington, with burglary.

He was also charged with two further burglaries which happened in Beaconsfield Street on May 16, and Merrybent on November 18.

Preston appeared at Teesside Crown Court last week where he pleaded guilty to the offences and was jailed for four years.

Detective Sergeant Liam Robertson, of Darlington Volume Crime Team, said: “Preston is a well-known offender in Darlington – he is a blight on the community and causes untold misery wherever he goes.

“I am pleased he has admitted these offences and is now off the streets and behind bars. This should give the communities of Darlington some respite from his opportunistic offending.”

He was previously jailed in 2017 following a crime spree in the town. 

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