A burglar targeted homes where he had carried out casual gardening work.

Durham Crown Court heard Terence Morrow was able to "size up" the homes of well-off professionals after offering to carry out gardening work.

By working there, he was able to account for fingerprints found at the premises, which were all in the east Durham area.

But he was caught out after he broke into a sheltered housing complex in Horden, cutting himself on broken glass.

Ron Mitchell, prosecuting, said Morrow was unable to offer a plausible account for the presence of the blood stains.

The court was told he stole a lap-top computer belonging to the son of the occupant of a house in Eastfield, Peterlee, and a gold watch plus other property worth £1,200, from a neighbouring house.

Morrow, 23, of Fifth Avenue, Horden, admitted two burglary charges and asked for two similar charges to be taken into consideration.

Mr Mitchell said Morrow has crossed the threshold for the "three strikes and you're out" legislation, which means he now qualifies for an automatic jail term of at least three years.

Nick Peacock, for Morrow, said legal paperwork for one of the burglaries was still incomplete and sentencing was adjourned.

Judge Maurice Carr remanded Morrow in custody to allow all the offences to be dealt with simultaneously, at a date that is still to be confirmed.

The judge said Morrow had a bad record and expressed surprise that he was previously granted bail, prior to carrying out some of the offences.