South Shields burglar caught red-handed with stolen TV - carrying a kitchen knife
South Shields burglar caught red-handed carrying a stolen TV as well as a kitchen knife.
An armed burglar caught carrying a television out of a home he had raided has been put behind bars.
Police were called to Lord Nelson Street in South Shields, South Tyneside, in February after neighbours heard smashing glass and saw two men removing belongings from a property.
Newcastle Crown Court heard officers attended and saw Kyle Brownlee and another man, both carrying televisions.
Prosecutor Ian Cook said: "The defendant and the other male dropped the televisions and attempted to run away. The defendant was detained and searched."
Mr Cook said items of clothing, an X-box controller and a kitchen knife were found when Brownlee was searched.
The other man got away.
Brownlee, 26, of Albany Street East, South Shields, admitted burglary and having a bladed article.
He also admitted unrelated charges of affray and having a bladed article.
Mr Recorder Christopher Knox jailed him for a total of two years.
The recorder told him: "I accept the knife wasn't used but nevertheless you went out burgling, at night, armed with a weapon.
"The real danger and evil of this is you had that knife and presumably if things had turned unpleasant you were in a position and prepared to use that knife."
Robin Patton, defending, said Brownlee comes across as a "very polite and respectful young man".
Mr Patton said Brownlee had a difficult childhood and spent time in care but has been working hard in custody on remand and wants to get a job when he is released.