A BURGLAR was in danger of being locked up before being sentenced after failing to appear at court on time.

Philip Andrew Ruane was granted bail by Judge Ray Singh after admitting burglary of a house in Consett, at a hearing earlier this year.

He reached into an open window and took a mobile phone and a bank card from the property in Thornfield Road, on August 8, last year.

The card was used to make three contactless purchases, at nearby Deneburn Stores, the following day.

Sentence on Ruane, 32, of The Bye, Consett, was adjourned for preparation of a probation report.

When he failed to appear at yesterday’s sentencing hearing at Durham Crown Court a bench warrant was issued for his arrest, but later in the morning session the defendant did turn up at court.

Judge Singh accepted defence counsel Richard Herrmann’s explanation and bailed Ruane to return for the rearranged sentencing hearing, on Wednesday.