A TEENAGER who nearly ran his feet to the bone chasing after a burglar has been rewarded for his actions.

Andrew Taylor, 18, of Granton Close, Darlington was barefoot when he chased after burglar John Kirk who had stolen two laptops from a house in the Carmel Road North area of the town last March.

Mr Taylor received a bravery award from the High Sheriff of County Durham, Harry Vane, at a citizenship ceremony at Darlington Town Hall this afternoon (Monday, January 14).

Presenting the framed certificate, the Honourable Mr Vane said: “The award itself it a small token of appreciation of your public spiritedness.”

He added: “It would have been very easy to have looked away and said ‘it’s not my business, it’s not my problem’, but good on you Andrew for doing something about it.”

Mr Taylor chased Kirk for over mile but had to stop because of injuries to his feet which led to him spending the next three months on crutches.

Kirk was later found guilty of burglary and jailed for four years by a jury at Teesside Crown Court who heard the 43-year-old had over 200 previous convictions.

Mr Taylor was pleased with his bravery award and said despite the pain he suffered, he would do the same again.

He said: “There was no question of me standing there and not doing anything, it’s just human nature isn’t it? You see someone in trouble and you go and help them.

“I’m delighted with the award, it’s a once in a lifetime thing, you don’t get many of these handed out and my family are very proud of me."