A POLICE dog led officers straight to the door of a man who had just carried out a burglary, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday.

Adam Lowe, 24, of Grange Road, Darlington, was sentenced to nine months in prison after he admitted the offence.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said that at 1.20am on March 27 a couple in Darlington were woken by the sound of breaking glass.

They investigated and found their living room window had been smashed and a handbag was missing.

Police were called and a tracker dog led them to the door of a hostel in nearby Grange Road.

A resident at the hostel confirmed that Lowe had just returned to the premises. When police questioned Lowe he admitted the crime.

Ian Dixon, for Lowe, said the offence had been fuelled by Lowe's addiction to heroin.

The court heard that he was serving a prison sentence for another offence and was now desperate to rid himself of his drug addiction.

Mr Dixon said Lowe was remorseful over what he had done and recognised the distress he had caused.

He had also made a heartfelt apology to the couple for his actions.

Judge Tony Lancaster sentenced Lowe to nine months in prison, to be served concurrently with his present term, and advised him to continue his efforts to rid himself of his drug addiction.