A BURGLAR who broke into the house of his mother's boyfriend and dumped a microwave and stereo in a fish pond was jailed for 12 months yesterday.

David Appleby had been told by his mother to stay away from her home, and her boyfriend's home, while they were away on holiday, Teesside Crown Court was told.

But on the day they returned they discovered the break-in, and blood found on the kitchen window linked Appleby to the burglary.

Yesterday, Appleby, 28, of Howlish View, Coundon, County Durham, appeared before the court and admitted affray and two offences of burglary.

Judge Peter Fox jailed Appleby for 12 months.

Ian Bradshaw, prosecuting, said when Appleby's mother and her boyfriend returned home, there was a note inside the house inviting her boyfriend to contact the police.

When police called at Appleby's home he refused to come out of the house, and barricaded himself in. He appeared at the window with two kitchen knives.

A police negotiator was called, and Appleby was persuaded to hand the knives over and leave the house.

Julia Clementson, for Appleby, said his behaviour was characterised by what had been diagnosed as either mental illness or personality disorder.

He was receiving medication, but, at the time of the offences, had stopped taking it.