A BURGLAR who was taken to hospital by police tried to make a break for freedom by climbing into the loft and crawling 20ft before dropping into an adjacent bedroom.

Mark Boden claimed he had taken an overdose before he was arrested for the sneak-in raid at a flat at a sheltered housing complex in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

He had a police guard at Darlington Memorial Hospital but was allowed to use the loo when he removed ceiling tiles and climbed into the void between two floors.

Teesside Crown Court heard how he made his way to the next room and either fell or dropped into the bathroom before making a dash along a corridor for the exit.

He was chased by staff and two police officers and caught before he could get off the ward on October 21, prosecutor Shaun Dryden said.

During the burglary a day earlier, Boden crept around a woman asleep in a chair in her front room and stole her handbag with bank card and phone.

The 26-year-old used the card to spend £3.50 at a petrol station, and when he was arrested from CCTV footage, claimed it belonged to his aunt.

He ultimately confessed when shoe marks were found near the window of the ground-floor flat at Cumbria Lodge, and his fingerprints were discovered inside.

Graham Silvester, mitigating, said Boden’s crime spree was sparked by the death of his partner three weeks earlier.

Jailing him for 42 months, Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, described the break-in as “a despicable, mean offence”.

He added: “You committed a very serious burglary, as well you know, because this was elderly accommodation and it contained a very vulnerable individual who was so disabled she was unable to make a statement.

“I accept you were under a great deal of unhappiness in your life bearing in mind the death of your partner. That might be background to your offending, but it by no means gives you an excuse.”

Boden, of Netherfields Crescent, Middlesbrough, admitted burglary, fraud, escaping lawful custody and criminal damage.

Appearing on a live video-link from Durham Prison, he said: “Can I just say I apologise to all the people involved and all the people I have hurt. I truly apologise.”

Mr Silvester earlier told the court that whole he was on remand, Boden’s father died and he was allowed to the cremation with a guard last week.

He said the burglar had not targeted the flat because he thought the occupant would be elderly, adding: “He was looking for anywhere to break into. When he was arrested, he was incredibly embarrassed and ashamed.”