A MAN’S ankle was broken when he confronted burglars who broke into the loft where police later found a cannabis farm.

A police spokesman said intruders got into the roof of a house in Claremont North Avenue, Gateshead, at 1am yesterday morning.

They were disturbed by the occupants of the property and after confronting them, assaulted the homeowner, who suffered a fractured ankle.

The partner of the owner fled the house and got into her car. She drove away from the property but was followed by the two intruders who also got into a car and tried to crash into her.

She was able to get away and report the incident to police. Officers attended and after searching the house they found a cannabis farm in the loft of the property.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.