A BURGLAR who was caught after he entered a house while the owner was cleaning upstairs was jailed yesterday.

Father-of-one Paul Will-iams, 21, was spotted by police and arrested after he stole a boy's bike from a playground shed.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Williams was found in possession of a watch and a camera stolen in a Washington house burglary earlier that day, in June.

Euan Duff, prosecuting, told the court how Williams was wanted by police following the theft of the bike from Washington Comprehensive, after he was recognised on security camera footage.

The court heard that two officers later approached Williams at a bus stop, and he was seen throwing a stolen handbag on to the roof of the shelter.

Mr Duff told the court the female owner of the house was upstairs cleaning when Williams spotted a rear patio door open.

Sentencing Williams, Judge Guy Whitburn said: " It must be extremely annoying for an 11-year-old boy to have his mountain bike stolen."

Williams, of Bristol Avenue, Washington, who has previous convictions, was sentenced to 27 months in prison.