An arrogant dead-of-night burglar disturbed in the act fled on a push bike – and with a wave to his victim.
Terry Pape, 38, gave the polite hand gesture after being shouted at by the homeowner in Capulet Grove, Simonside, South Shields.
It was the second time Pape, of Iona Road, Jarrow, had raided the same back garden shed overnight on Thursday, July 22.
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In the first, he took items in two bags, prosecutor Glenda Beck told magistrates in South Tyneside.
Pape’s ramblings disturbed the homeowner, but he was so unperturbed and sleepy, he went back to bed.
But when Pape struck 15 minutes later at 4.30am, the householder was fully roused – and shouted from a window for Pape to “bugger off”.
Mrs Beck said Pape made what he thought was a clean getaway – but justice soon caught up with him.
Police called to the scene found the criminal’s mobile phone in the shed, leading to his arrest.
She said: “The homeowner shouted words to the effect of ‘bugger off’. The rider waved, and rode off.
“He went down to the shed and found various tools, golf balls and an iron grinder had been removed.
“Police found a mobile phone that wasn’t the householders. Messages showed that it belonged to Mr Pape.”
When quizzed by police, Pape claimed he had been at home with his girlfriend, but later coughed to the crime.
He also said he had hidden his first raid takings under a bus, but they had vanished, so he made his second garden visit.
David Forrester, defending, said: “It’s a shame, because this kind of offence seems to be behind him.
“He tells me that he’s fifteen years free of heroin. There was a spate of offences around 2005 and 2006.
“It’s not the most impressive action anyway. He managed to remove golf balls and leave his mobile behind.”
Pape pleaded guilty to non-dwelling burglary and his case was adjourned for reports to the same court on Thursday, October 14.
He was granted bail on condition he does not enter Capulet Grove, resides at his home address and abides by a 9pm to 7am doorstep curfew.
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