Burglar is choked to be jailed

Anthony Middleton A BURGLAR who unwittingly targeted the home of a martial arts expert, who put him in a choke hold, has been jailed for nearly three years.

Anthony Middleton, 49, had to go to hospital with a dislocated shoulder after he was grabbed by the householder at 6am as he tried to force a window of his house on May 5.

Prosecutor Harry Hadfield told Teesside Crown Court, when the police arrived, Middleton was found in possession of three screwdrivers, a torch and a pair of binoculars.

Middleton had 63 convictions for 139 offences dating back to the 1980s. He was on licence after being released from his last burglary sentence last October.

Andrew Teate, defending, said of Middleton: “He does not feel safe in prison and he would prefer to lead a normal life outside. He wishes to apologise for his actions, and he was moved to tears after committing this offence.”

The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC told Middleton, who appeared over a videolink from Holme House Prison in Stockton: “Unhappily for you, you selected a property where the householder was more than able to look after himself and he detained you until the police arrived.”

Middleton, of Church Street, Hartlepool, was jailed for 32 months reduced from 42 months after he pleaded guilty to two attempted burglaries in West View Road, Hartlepool.