Burglar hit with a shovel HE GOT MORE THAN HE BARGAINED FOR WHEN HOUSEHOLDER RETURNED

there were people outside the property.

One burglar got away, but Mr Bull said Coldwell was hit with a shovel in an attempt to stop him escaping through nearby gardens.

Coldwell, of Rosemary Close, Rastrick, eventually ran off through nearby fields, but during the burglary he left behind a bottle of methadone with his name and details on it as well as a rucksack containing some of the property stolen from the house.

Mr Bull said police later found Coldwell’s DNA on the rucksack.

The court heard that Coldwell had 23 convictions on his record for more than 50 offences, but Recorder Paul Greaney QC was told that the majority were shoplifting offences and he had no convictions for house burglary.

A few weeks after the burglary offence Coldwell was given a community order for theft offences and a six-month drug rehabilitation order.

Coldwell pleaded guilty to the burglary offence when he appeared at the crown court.

Recorder Greaney was given an update on Coldwell’s progress on the community order and was told the defendant was close to obtaining a place on a detoxification residential course in the Midlands.

Recorder Greaney said he was able to suspend Coldwell’s six-month jail term for two years, but he should regard it as “a near miss”.

Coldwell will now be subject to a ninemonth drug rehabilitation requirement with monthly reviews at the crown court and he must also do 120 hours’ unpaid work for the community.