Balding burglar collared using CCTV footage after theft from Sunderland pet shop

Martin Urban, 50, of no fixed abode, was uncovered as the culprit after staff at JP’s Pet Supplies, in Fulwell Road, Roker, studied elevated post-raid CCTV footage, a court heard.

It revealed the suspect’s receding hair fitted perfectly with Urban’s thinning mane, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

And in an attempted daylight theft the following day, he kicked at a door of the P’s & Q’s bar in Tunstall Road, Sunderland, in a bid to take food.

The owner studied CCTV of the incident, which happened on Sunday, May 10, and could clearly make out a suspect.

Soon after, he spotted Urban sitting in a street and identified him as the likely offender - and approached him along with builders carrying out renovations at his bar.

Prosecutor Glenda Beck said Urban immediately coughed to the crime, telling his victim: “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, I wanted food.”

And a policeman called the scene even heard Urban confess in a mobile phone call to a friend, telling him out loud, “I’ve broken a window, I’m going to be arrested”, Mrs Beck said.

Of the 12.30pm pet shop theft, in which Urban netted 33 harnesses, she added: “The door had been left open due to warm weather.

“CCTV showed a male entering and leaving. The defendant had the same bald patch on the right side of his head as the male in the footage.”

Gerry Armstrong, defending, said Urban had been released from HMP Northumberland on Wednesday, May 6, and had returned to Sunderland with little money and nowhere to stay.

In a plea to the court, he said: “There’s an issue with drugs and alcohol. Can we not at this time try to save somebody instead of just putting him back in?”

Urban, who pleaded guilty to burglary and attempted theft, has now been warned he may be jailed his latest offences.

He was granted bail on condition he resides in Mitford Road, Arnley, Leeds, and will be back before the court on July 2.

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