AN intruder stopped in his tracks trying to break into a family home has since apologised face-to-face with the householder.

David Dixon agreed to meet the victim of his crime following a previous hearing at Durham Crown Court.

Dixon, 33, of Millbrook Avenue, Middlesbrough, admitted attempted burglary of the house and damaging a parked Nissan Micra car he was trying to break into, both on Beechburn Park, Crook, early on December 1.

Lewis Kerr, prosecuting, said a female householder was awoken by noises and went downstairs to investigate, at about 1.30am.

She saw the usually-closed door, between the conservatory and kitchen, was wide open and a glass pane was smashed.

Mr Kerr said she noticed a male figure in dark clothing fleeing and rang the police.

She later discovered her garden shed was damaged and a stone ornament had been used to smash into the conservatory.

Mr Kerr said by the time police reached the scene there was also a report of damage to the parked car.

Police dogs tracked the defendant down, hiding in a nearby garden.

Mr Kerr said the disturbed resident chose to meet the defendant as part of the restorative justice scheme.

Although he was unable to help her as to whether her home had previously been targeted, he did go through the process.

Eric Watson, mitigating, said it was not a planned crime, as the defendant fell asleep on a bus and, “found himself in the area”, on waking.

“He has apologised to the victim, expressing remorse, doing his best to make his peace with her as part of the restorative justice scheme.”

Jailing him for 18 months, Judge Simon Hickey said Dixon has a “bad record” and it was only good fortune that there was no close confrontation. The judge ordered him to also pay £200 compensation to the victim for damage caused to her home.