A serial burglar who was caught red-handed on CCTV stealing musical instruments, clothing and IT equipment has found himself back behind bars.

Jason Lee Potts was filmed entering and exiting the property in Felling twice on the morning of June 22.

At about 9.30am, the 52-year-old entered the house and left 15 minutes later wearing a black jacket and carrying a set of keys which he had taken from the address.

The Northern Echo: Jason Lee PottsJason Lee Potts (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)

Potts returned moments later still wearing the stolen jacket, and snatched a guitar, a juicer, and a media modem worth a total of £590.

Police soon received a report of burglary, and the burglar was quickly identified after CCTV footage from a neighbour was reviewed.

When shown the footage in police interview, Potts accepted it was him but insisted he found all the stolen goods lying in the street.

The Northern Echo: Jason Lee Potts during his arrestJason Lee Potts during his arrest (Image: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE)

The burglar denied entering the home and refused to disclose the location of the stolen items.

Potts, of Willerby Court, Gateshead, who has previous convictions for burglary, theft, and shoplifting, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial at Newcastle Crown Court on July 28 and was remanded in custody.

He was sentenced on November 30 to a total of 44 months in prison, 29 months for the burglary offence and 15 months' imprisonment following a breach of a suspended sentence which was imposed last year.

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Detective Sergeant David Lumsden, of Northumbria Police's High Impact Team, said: "Burglary is an awful crime which has a significant impact on victims, knowing a stranger has been in their home.

“Jason Potts is a prolific thief who has shown no remorse or regard for his actions and this prison sentence will give him plenty of time to reflect on what he has done.

"This custodial sentence also proves that this behaviour will not be tolerated. I also hope it reassures local communities that we are doing all we can to tackle this criminality."