A BURGLAR who used a stolen security pass to gain entry to his former employer's building and steal a rucksack with mobile phone stored inside has avoided being sent to prison.

David Hubbard, who was serving a suspended sentence for child sex offences at the time of the burglary, broke into the SK Chilled Foods site in Middlesbrough in January this year.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 33-year-old was unable to sell the mobile as it was security locked and was returned to its owner after police recovered it from his home.

Shada Mellor, prosecuting, said Hubbard had deliberately targeted the company after he lost his job there.

Hubbard, of Essex Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to burglary.

Jon Harley, in mitigation, said his client had fallen on hard times after being furloughed without pay but had completed all of the community elements of his suspended sentence.

Judge Howard Crowson sentenced the defendant to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He added: "Do not come back before me for a criminal offence otherwise you will go to prison."