ALERT neighbours who helped in the arrest of a prolific burglar have been thanked for their efforts as the offender begins a lengthy prison sentence.

Kevin Michael Brodie was jailed for ten years after admitting two break-ins, plus an attempted burglary.

Durham Crown Court heard that he took jewellery, some with a sentimental family value, plus a number of electrical items, after smashing doors in day-time burglaries while occupiers were at work in Church Lane, Hunwick, near Crook, on July 20, and a farmhouse, at Byers Green, near Spennymoor, on September 1.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said police found similar footwear impressions at both crime scenes.

Brodie’s spree came to a halt after he was seen acting suspiciously at the rear of a house in Abbott’s Green, Willington, on September 15.

Mr Dryden said a neighbour came out after hearing a patio door glass smashing and saw Brodie climbing a fence before walking away up a footpath.

He was chased and confronted, but denied forcibly trying to enter the nearby house.

Mr Dryden said Brodie handed a ruck-sack to another man and was seen heading to a property in Commercial Street, Willington, where he was arrested.

Police recovered a pair of training shoes, the sole imprint of which matched the lifts taken from the two burgled homes.

A black hooded top and jacket were found in the seized ruck-sack, while jewellery from the burgled farmhouse was recovered from Brodie’s address.

The court heard 47-year-old Brodie, of Commercial Street, Willington, has 32 convictions for 86 offences, including 16 for burglary - the last two for which he received four-year prison sentences.

Tony Davis, mitigating, said Brodie has proved in the past he can keep out of trouble, while in work, but returns to crime when unemployed.

Imposing sentence, Judge Christopher Prince said the time had come for Brodie to undergo a lengthy spell behind bars, as he appears, “unwilling to stop committing offences of burglary.”

Willington beat officer, PC Andy Boyd, thanked the public for helping to detaining the offender, adding: “This court result goes to show what can be achieved by the community and police working together.”