CCTV captures burglar's repeated falls during a botched break-in

Andrew Pickering, of Marx Crescent, Stanley, carried out a burglary at a service station in Ouston, Chester-le-Street. His determined efforts, in the early hours of October 21, were captured on CCTV. Footage shows the 50-year-old entering through a hole in the roof before ransacking the shop. He caused approximately £3,219 worth of loss and damage. While trying to escape, Pickering fell from the ceiling four times but kept getting back up. Eventually, he gave up and left through a door instead. A forensic examination found a significant amount of blood at the scene, later confirmed to be his. He appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court and was jailed for 12 months for two counts of burglary. His accomplice, 46-year-old Daniel Reay, of no fixed abode, was also charged and given a community order with alcohol treatment and rehabilitation.