A BURGLARY-VICTIM recognised the man breaking into his house as he gave chase after confronting him in the act, a court heard.

In what has become a local landmark case, as a “first” in a restorative justice scheme being trialled in County Durham, the victim has gone on to formally meet the intruder since he struck twice in three days at the unoccupied property in Shildon, in February.

The householder, who was in the throes of moving from the premises, in Spruce Court, at the time of the offences, took up the chance to subsequently speak to Lee Robertson to outline the problems and distress caused by his actions.

Liam O’Brien, prosecuting, said the victim actually recognised Robertson as someone he previously paid to perform odd-job gardening tasks at that address.

Durham Crown Court heard that Robertson “repaid” him by breaking in, using a rock or brick to shatter a rear window to gain access, on February 19.

He took a lawn mower, laminate flooring, a set of house keys plus a silver necklace and pendant, described as, “of great sentimental value”.

But he used the keys to let himself back in two days later, not realising the owner, who was removing items himself as part of a house move, was upstairs at the time.

Mr O’Brien said the owner went downstairs and confronted Robertson, who fled.

As he ran from the property the owner recognised him as someone who had cut grass for him several times.

Amid police inquiries Robertson’s name came up as the likely culprit and, when arrested, he confessed.

The 31-year-old, of Laurel Court, Shildon, admitted two counts of burglary at a previous hearing.

Mr O’Brien said the victim now feels, “ill at ease and uncomfortable” in his own home, while the “saddest part” of the offence was the loss of the pendant, passed to his partner when her father died last year.

Peter Kilgour, mitigating, said Robertson has, “very little in the way of past convictions”, coinciding with his use of heroin over the last two years.

But he added the defendant is remorseful and went through with the meeting with the victim, apologising to him.

Judge Christopher Prince said it appears the victim was satisfied with the opportunity to speak to the defendant, gaining “some closure” from it, while all involved in the restorative justice pilot, one of nine nationally, feel the procedure was worthwhile in this case.

Jailing Robertson for 20 months, he urged whoever now has the missing pendant to return it, even via a third party, to ease the victim’s sense of loss.