A BURGLAR was confronted by a householder who claimed he had let himself into the man’s home.

In fact Jordan Malpas had smashed a door lock to get into the victim’s property in Littleboy Drive, Thornaby, hiding power tools under a tarpaulin as he prepared to steal them.

Malpas also handed the startled householder – who knew the defendant – his car keys, stating: “You might as well have these back”.

The 27-year-old was told to get out, having also asked for money off the man during the incident in March last year.

As well as burglary with intent to steal, Malpas also admitted criminal damage after he flung a rock at the window of a house in Stockton following an argument with the occupier’s son.

Prosecutor Jonathan Harley said Malpas left blood on the window, enabling police to identify him.

The defendant was also responsible for an attempted break in at a home in Parliament Walk, Stockton.

This time he was challenged by a neighbour who saw him using a screwdriver and hammer to try and prise open a door.

Duncan McReddie, mitigating, said Malpas, of St Paul’s Street, Stockton, had responded well to a drug rehabilitation order imposed on him by magistrates.

He said: “By and larger these are less serious offences of an inquisitive kind committed to fund his entrenched [drugs] habit.”

Judge Howard Crowson deferred sentence on Malpas until July after hearing how he had committed no recent offences.

The judge said he wanted to see if Malpas could comply with his order and stay out of trouble, but warned he would be jailed if not.