A RESIDENT who helped track down two men who tried to burgle his neighbour's house was given a reward yesterday.

The neighbour was praised for his actions by the Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Peter Fox, at Teesside Crown Court.

The part played by the man was revealed during the sentencing of Michael Clark, 22, of Pensbury Street, Darlington, who pleaded guilty to two charges of burglary and one of attempted burglary, and Daniel Pindar, 22, of Headlam Road, Darlington, who admitted one count of burglary and one of attempted burglary.

Paul Cleasby, prosecuting, described how the pair had attempted to burgle a house while the owner was on holiday.

But the neighbour heard a noise and, seeing the two men leave the property, followed in his car, questioned them and alerted the police.

Jim Withyman, defending Clark, said he had committed the offences to feed his drug addiction.

Ray Priest, for Pindar, said he had not served a custodial sentence before, but he also had a drug addiction.

Sentencing Clark to four years to begin after the completion of 352 days from an earlier sentence, and Pindar to a total of two years, Judge Fox said the men's drug addiction was not the slightest excuse for the crimes.

Praising the neighbour, Judge Fox said his actions were worthy of not only a commendation but a reward of £250.