A BURGLAR struck shortly after a woman left home for an evening out, a court heard.

The householder, who went out at 6pm, soon realised items were missing on her return, at 10.45pm on January 29.

Durham Crown Court heard that she discovered a number of electrical items, including games equipment, a mobile phone, plus tablet and lap-top computers, costume jewellery and £20 in cash, were taken.

Jane Waugh, prosecuting, said footprints led from the point of entry, the back door, over grass at the rear of the house, in Wood View, Spennymoor, towards nearby Tees Crescent.

A neighbour reported seeing local man Kris Lindsay walking quickly from Wood View towards Tees Crescent, with what he described as “bulging pockets”.

Police investigating the break-in subsequently found the stolen lap-top and tablet at a house in Tees Crescent.

The female resident said Lindsay brought them to the house between 6 and 7pm on January 29.

She told police she challenged Lindsay about the validity of the items and he said: “Don’t worry.”

Lindsay pleaded guilty to burglary at the first hearing at crown court.

The court heard that the 38-year-old’s criminal record dates back to 1992, including previous offences of burglary.

Ian West, mitigating, said despite his record, the break-in was only Lindsay’s second domestic burglary.

Jailing him for a year, Recorder Simon Jackson told Lindsay: “You have an appalling record dating from when you were a juvenile.”

The recorder added that insecurity suffered by the victim added to the gravity of the offence.