A THIEF is facing jail after a botched burglary was thwarted by police.

Darren Arthur Slee, 40, has admitted three counts of burglary after targeting a Sunderland chemist during a four-day spree.

He first broke into Medichem, on Suffolk Street, on the morning of Sunday, September 30, and made off with a quantity of drugs.

The same chemist was targeted in the early hours of Monday, October 1, although nothing was taken.

After being made aware of the two incidents, police monitored the premises and swooped shortly after 1am on Thursday, October 4, after receiving a further report that the chemist’s burglar alarm had again been triggered.

Officers, assisted by the dog section, found Slee inside the chemist’s as well as a hole in the property’s roof.

Slee, of Tower Street West, Sunderland, was arrested and later charged with three counts of burglary.

He pleaded guilty to all charges on Saturday, October 6 and is due to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, November 2.