Burglar confronted by Dean of Durham's brave wife

Jenny Sadgrove, wife of the Dean of Durham, the Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, came across sneak burglar David Stephen Clark at her husband’s desk in the study at the Deanery, alongside Durham Cathedral.

Paul Lee, prosecuting, told Durham Crown Court: “Mrs Sadgrove approached the intruder, took a bag he was holding and removed her husband’s wallet.

“She said he shouldn’t be there and told him to leave, which he promptly did.

“Although the wallet was retrieved, it was later discovered 200 euros were missing from the desk.”

The break-in took place at 6.45pm on Sunday, July 17.

It was later found that a key to the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a vaulted 13th Century undercroft at the cathedral, was also missing.

Clark was recognised by Mrs Sadgrove on CCTV footage from the cathedral’s cafe/ restaurant.

He was arrested at a bed and breakfast in Langley Moor, near Durham, and police were able to recover the key.

Clark told police that he had been drunk and found a door open and came across the wallet in the desk, putting it in his bag.

Clark, 29, of North Brancepeth Terrace, Langley Moor, admitted burglary.

Ros Scott Bell, mitigating, told the court: “He’s ashamed of his behaviour and sought to make amends by making an early guilty plea.

She said having overcome a heroin addiction, Clark began drinking heavily, which he has addressed as part of the supervision order imposed after his last offence.

Ms Scott Bell added: “He has asked me to convey his sincere apology to the complainant in this case and to her husband.”

Jailing him for 16 months, Recorder Peter Makepeace told Clark “an aggravating feature” was the confrontation, adding: “Mrs Sadgrove showed extraordinary fortitude and is clearly a very plucky lady indeed.

“She clearly showed great strength, the way she confronted you and removed the wallet from the bag, seeing you off the premises.

“You have, at least, shown remorse and apologised to the Dean and his wife.”