A WOMAN was given a £300 reward by a judge yesterday for scratching the face of a burglar in her home.

A DNA test on skin from under the fingernails of Pauline Blundy, 44, a County Durham teaching assistant, identified burglar Lee Robinson, who was jailed for three and a half years yesterday.

Mrs Blundy saw a light on in her garage at 6.45am and disturbed Robinson, 29, who advanced towards her, said John Gillette, prosecuting.

Mrs Blundy challenged Robinson, saying: "Get out of my house".

"He walked towards her and she was screaming. She got into a tussle with him and she grabbed his head with both her hands and scratched his face," said Mr Gillette.

"Some DNA material was found under her fingernails. She was barefoot and he stood on her foot, and he ran out across the garden."

Her husband's wallet was missing from the house, and the television, video recorder and digital videodisc player had been unplugged ready to take away, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Robinson was picked out on an identification parade. He had burglary convictions going back to 1992.

Paul Cleasby, defending, said Robinson was a drug addict but had stopped taking drugs during his eight months in custody.

His only intention had been to escape from Mrs Blundy. Robinson, of Guthram Place, Newton Aycliffe, admitted the burglary.

Judge Peter Bowers told him: "This is a very serious offence of burglary because it highlights the potential danger where a house owner comes across a burglar, there is confrontation and the burglar attempts to escape.

"Mrs Blundy should be commended for her considerable courage in grappling with Robinson, scratching his face which enabled a DNA match, and she deserves a £300 reward from central funds.