A CONVICTED burglar who fled from the dock of a court after being found guilty is back behind bars.

Neil Paul Hodgson, 29, of The Avenue, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, was on the run for two weeks.

But he was arrested this afternoon in Chester-le-Street, just a few miles from his home.

Police issued a photograph of Hodgson along with an appeal for help in tracing him.

A Durham Police spokesman said that Hodgson escaped as he was about to be sentenced at Durham Crown Court after a two-day trial for the burglary of a house in Barbary Close, Pelton.

"He had been told by the judge to expect to be jailed for three years or more,''' the spokesman added.

After his re-capture he was taken to Durham City police station and is due to appear before local magistrates tomorrow.