A MAN who broke into a room at a Salvation Army hostel where he was a resident may have done it as a cry for help, a court heard yesterday.

Colin Candler, 43, of Elswick, Newcastle, admitted a charge of burglary at Teesside Crown Court.

On April 3 this year, he was living at the Salvation Army hostel in Darlington, Richard Priest, prosecuting, told the court.

He said that, at about 12.30am, a security officer heard glass breaking. The officer knew the noise was coming from a room where the normal occupant was away, and found Candler there.

Rod Hunt, in mitigation, said the 43-year-old was now living in a community house and hostel where he was receiving psychiatric treatment, and was under permanent supervision.

Judge David Bryant said he was not sure whether Candler had broken into the room to steal something, or as a cry for help.

He sentenced Candler to a two-year community rehabilitation order, with a condition of staying in the hostel.

Judge Bryant said: "If you need to cry for help, ring up your probation officer - do not smash someone's window."