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Homeowner returns to find burglar
A man came face-to-face with a burglar as he raided his home.
Daniel White, 21, returned home from watching England take on Germany during the World Cup to find burglar Craig Finnigan in his home – while his pal slept upstairs.
Mr White attempted to tackle him in his home, but 19-year-old Finnigan, of Redwood Grove, Tunstall, managed to escape leaving behind his sack of stolen goods, which included Haribo sweets, diced beef and a Fray Bentos pie.
Mr White, a Sunderland university graduate, chased Finnigan down Carlyon Street, Ashbrooke, and managed to stop a police car which sped after the burglar.
And when Finnigan managed to escape, Mr White again chased him, catching him and pinning him to the floor until the police arrived.
Daniel said: "When I saw him standing in the house I didn't know what to think. The adrenaline just took hold of me and I reacted on instinct. I just wanted to stop him.
"It was lucky that the police car was there because my phone battery had ran out and there's no way I could have grabbed him and phoned for the police at the same time."
At Newcastle Crown Court Finnigan admitted stealing a computer games console, games, a TV digital box, TV remote control, a jacket, computer cables, food and a bottle of wine during the raid on June 28.
Judge Guy Whitburn, presiding, warned Finnigan – who is also awaiting sentence for shoplifting – he faced a custodial sentence.
Glen Gatland, defending, told the court Finnigan has been recalled to jail until next May to complete a previous prison sentence.
Mr Gatland said: "He has a dreadful problem with alcohol and has referred himself to alcohol courses within the prison."
Judge Whitburn adjourned sentence until the end of September.
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Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
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