A GUILT-ridden burglar who returned a television he had stolen along with an apology and cash is being tracked by police.

The thief broke into a house in Newcastle at 5.10am on Sunday, November 20, took a 32-ins Samsung television and sped off in a blue Peugeot car.

But two days later, his conscience kicked in and the burglar paid a call at the house in Rothbury Terrace in Heaton and told the victim that he had stolen from them.

The repentant robber apologised to the homeowner, handed over cash as a deposit and said he would return the next day.

The following day he returned the television to its rightful owner, retrieved the deposit he had left and handed over £50 to the victim.

Police are carrying out extensive enquiries to trace the suspect involved and have CCTV footage from the area which shows him at the address.

They are urging him to come forward.

DC Dave Maddick said: "We've got several lines of enquiry to trace this man, which includes CCTV images and forensics and we're confident we will find out who he is so we can speak to him about the burglary.

"I'd urge him to come forward.

"This situation is very unusual and he obviously knows what he's done is unacceptable by the way he's contacted the victim and returned the property."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newcastle East Burglary Team via 03456 043 043 ext 69191, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.