A BURGLAR who was caught by the neighbours of his victim has been sentenced to a year in prison.

Peter Winter became effectively trapped in the house he was burgling on Hillside View in Sherburn Village, Durham, on January 23.

Two men and two women ensured he could not get away and police came and arrested him.

David Crook, prosecuting at Durham Crown Court said: "A neighbour heard the sound of breaking glass and went to investigate before he was joined by others.

"They saw the kitchen light on an saw a figure climbing through the window. They stood guard until the police got there.

"The neighbours acted vigilantly and commendably."

Winter went equipped for the break in with a screwdriver, a chisel and a crowbar.

When he was arrested police found stolen jewellery and a mobile phone in his pockets and a bag of items ready to be taken away.

When the owner returned home she found an untidy search had been carried out.

The court heard the incident has left her feeling unsafe in the home she had lived in for 44 years.

Stephen Duffield, mitigating, said Winter had a long standing drug problem and had been ordered to burgle the house by someone he owed money to clear debts of £800.

Mr Duffield said: "He owed money for drugs and had already been attacked by her creditor.

"The creditor had also made threats to his girlfriend’s house."

Winter has been in custody since the burglary and asked for two shop burglaries and three car thefts to be taken into account.

He was serving a community order at the time of the offence, which was imposed for a previous burglary and attempted burglary.

Judge Peter Armstrong said: "The occupier came back to find her property a mess and was distressed. It is a typical reaction from someone who has had their house invaded."

The judge said Stephen and Karen Tait and Jenny Frane and Trevor Greaves deserved commendations from the court and ordered them to be awarded £500 between them from public funds for their actions.

He said: "They went out and effectively helped in his apprehension. They should be rewarded."