A 'PROFESSIONAL burglar' was caught after being tackled by a householder who threw a plant pot at him, a court heard.

Architect Gerald Smith succeeded in detaining Richard Lennon outside his home in Carlton Lane, Hoylake, and a screwdriver Lennon had dropped was found on the lawn, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

While in custody, it was discovered that Lennon's fingerprints were on a bin liner inside a house in Ellesmere Avenue, Chester, which had been burgled while its occupant was away on business for a week in July.

Mr Michael Scholes, prosecuting, told the court that Lennon stole £1,500 of electrical property and a £300 ring of 'great sentimental value'.

Earlier that month Lennon, who pleaded guilty to two burglaries and going equipped for theft, had been bailed after burgling solicitor Mark Beardwood's home in Vyner Road South, Bidston.

Mr Beardwood was woken by noises in the early hours of July 4 and went downstairs to find property, including photographs of his young children, strewn around, he said.

A neighbour spotted Lennon and police stopped him riding a cycle in Boundary Road, Bidston. A police dog tracked the 31 stolen CDs to Bidston Road, said Mr Scholes.

Lennon, 29, of no fixed address, was sentenced to two years in prison.

The judge, Recorder Leslie Portnoy, said that Lennon was 'a professional burglar', who had burgled an occupied dwelling at 4am.

Mr Peter Davies, defending, said Lennon, formerly of Beaufort Road, Birkenhead, had had a drug problem in the past which he has sought to address.

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