Burglar caught hiding in tree by police dog

John Reilly admitted burglary

A house burglar who stole a grandmother's car during his latest spree was found hiding in a tree, a court has heard.

John Reilly, 29, broke into a home in Gateshead and took a woman's TV and car keys, using the latter to steal her Ford Puma, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Reilly, who had also broken into a shed on the same street, was later found by a police dog in a tree at a sports club in Felling, the woman's car having been abandoned in the car park.

Reilly, of no fixed abode, whose history of offending included multiple burglaries, was jailed for two years and eight months after he admitted offences including burglary.

The woman was sleeping at her home with her granddaughter when she was awoken at about 03:00 BST on 19 July by the sound of her car alarm, prosecutor Katie Spence said.

The victim went downstairs to find the lights on and her TV and a vape had been stolen, the court heard, while her car had been driven away.

The vehicle was found at the Holly Hill Sports and Social Club with a police dog and officers locating Reilly in a tree nearby, the court heard.

In a statement read to the court, the victim of the burglary said she no longer felt safe in her own home.