A TEENAGE heroin addict was caught as he broke into the home of a man with learning disabilities in a sheltered housing complex.

Gavin Cummings, who had earlier conned money from other residents saying he was a window cleaner, was yesterday given a four-year custodial sentence.

Durham Crown Court heard that, as a result of the offence, 18-year-old Cummings fell foul of the "three-strikes" rule for three burglaries and was guaranteed a minimum three-year sentence.

Cummings had said he was a window cleaner seeking payment when confronted by a warden checking a resident's bungalow at the St Godric's complex, in Newton Hall, Dur-ham.

With the male resident looking on "open-mouthed", the warden became suspicious and prevented Cummings from leaving.

Durham Crown Court heard that Cummings offered the warden £10 to let him go, but he refused.

Rachel Hedworth, prosecuting, said Cummings turned violent, bit his ear and said he had a knife.

He managed to get the door open, but the warden grabbed him as he was making off and, in the struggle that followed, Cummings bit his ear again and then his hand.

When the warden managed to subdue him, Cummings said he was only looking for £4 so he could get a bus home.

Police were called and Cummings was detained until officers arrived.

The warden was treated for bruising, swellings and cuts, but his ear was not disfigured.

Cummings, who was sleeping rough in Durham at the time of the offence, in October, said he was trying to defend himself from attack by the warden.

Euan Duff, in mitigation, said Cummings only used violence in an attempt to escape. Mr Duff said his client was trying to overcome his addiction and was voluntarily on a drug-free wing while in custody. At an earlier hearing, Cummings, of Fieldside, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to avoid lawful apprehension, burglary, and two counts of obtaining by deception.

Imposing a four-year sentence in a young offenders' institution, Recorder Andrew Lees told Cummings he appeared to have deliberately targeted vulnerable people.