A BURGLAR was caught when he left his fingerprints on a Coca Cola bottle at the scene of his crime, a court was told yesterday.

Andrew Monaghan's victim found the bottle in her home and tipped off police. He was arrested six months later after his fingerprints were identified.

Monaghan, 20, of Dennison Street, Stockton, pleaded guilty to burgling the house on August 23 last year in Kingsport Close, Stockton. Judge John Walford deferred sentence on him for six months at Teesside Crown Court and imposed conditions that he keep off drugs and out of trouble, and that he should find work.

CHARITY DANCE: Middlesbrough Speaker Councillor Ken Hall is asking businesses to donate raffle prizes for a charity dance at the Ladle Hotel, Ladgate Lane, on Saturday, November 29. Proceeds from the eventwill go to the Speaker's chosen charities: the Mission to Seafarers and the South Cleveland Holiday fund. Anyone able to help is asked to call Beverley Elenor, on (01642) 263657.

SPORTS DAYS: Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has organised two sports days for children during the half-term holiday. They are at Grangetown Youth and Community Centre next Tuesday, and Laurence Jackson School, Guisborough, on Thursday, October 24. Sessions last from 9am to 4pm and cost £2. Call (01642) 444338 for an application form.

HISTORY TALK: Malcolm Bisby will speak about the Rosedale Railway and the ironstone mines it served when he addresses the Cleveland Industrial Archaeology Society, in Swainby village hall, on October 23, at 7.30pm.

SPEAK UP: As part of next month's inspection of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's social services department, which provides services for disabled residents, the inspection team is asking people for their views of the department's performance. Questionnaires are at www.doh.gov.uk/disabilityinspection.

CORE ACTIVITIES: Guisborough Forest and Walkway is holding an apple day on Saturday, with activities including apple tasting, cider-making demonstrations, pip spitting and pin the maggot on the apple.

WEB COURSE: People wanting to find out more about surfing the Internet are invited to sign up for a six-week course at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough. For more details about the Internet for Fun course, which starts on November 5, call (01287) 280800.

SPANISH CLASS: Redcar Adult Education Centre is offering part-time Spanish courses on Fridays. To enrol call (01642) 490409 or 475397.

GOLF SUCCESS: Thomas Robinson, 17, Ben Benoliel and Andrew Malone, both 16, from Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, won the team prize for stroke play at a golf competition in Scarborough last week. Ben also won the lowest gross prize and the best net prize.