A MAN accused of burglary was yesterday cleared of the charge.

Darren Hogwood denied burglary of the detached property in Dalton Heights, Seaham, last August, despite being picked out at a video identity parade by the householder.

Durham Crown Court heard that the 61-year-old woman returned home and disturbed the burglar, who ran from the house into the back garden, before vaulting a fence.

On checking the house, she discovered £400 and two cheque books had been stolen.

She gave a description to police and two days later Mr Hogwood was arrested. The court heard that after she picked him out from the identity parade, Hogwood was charged with burglary.

Mr Hogwood, 23, of Caroline Street, Hetton-le-Hole, denied the charge and, at the opening of his trial yesterday, the court heard the victim may only have had "a fleeting glimpse" of the man as he ran from the house across the garden.

His barrister, Chris Morrison, showed the woman a photograph of someone else matching the description she gave of the burglar at the time, but she stood by her original selection from the parade.

Judge Peter Armstrong ruled that as there was not sufficient identification evidence and directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict.