Burglar caught after painted footprints led back to home address

A careless burglar was caught by police after they followed the painted footprints which led back to his home address.

On 17th February police responded to a report of a break-in at a second hand shop in Easington Colliery, at the junction of Seaside Lane and Vincent Street.

A small number of items had been stolen from the premises, but police had one potential - and very obvious - lead.

During the break-in the intruder had knocked over a tin of white paint and had unwittingly left a trail of footprint impressions on the pavement outside the shop.

The first officer on the scene followed the trail down Vincent Street to a house when he found the stolen property in the rear yard.

After checking the suspect’s footwear the 27-year-old occupant was then arrested for burglary, less than 30 minutes from the time of the first call to police.

When he appeared before local magistrates last week he was handed a community rehabilitation order and instructed to pay £100 compensation to the owners.