A BURGLAR was discovered hiding in the boot of a car in a garage he had broken into, a court was told.
William Sowerby used a metal pole to smash his way through the roof of the commercial garage in Pilgrim Street, Hartlepool, in June.
Yesterday, Sowerby, 32, of Easington Road, Hartlepool, appeared before Teesside Crown Court and admitted burglary.
Judge Leslie Spittle jailed him for 12 months.
Helen Gamble, prosecuting, said police went to the garage after hearing an alarm sounding and they saw Sowerby on the roof. Police dogs found him hiding inside the boot of a car.
Tim Bubb, for Sowerby, said he had been diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic about ten years ago and then compounded his difficulties by becoming addicted to heroin.
Sowerby had a substantial drugs habit which he fed by relatively petty crime, steering clear of house burglaries and more serious offending, said Mr Bubb.
Mr Bubb said: "He does present as someone who has been severely damaged by heroin, someone who knows he has been severely damaged and someone who would desperately like to get out of its thrall.
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