A criminal embarking on a night-time burgling expedition was nabbed by a police dog, a court was told.

David Turner, 34, desperately tried to flee after breaking into a Workington recycling centre and targeting two garages in July last year.

But when police went to investigate they took along canine sleuth Misty, who tracked down Turner.

He was arrested and went on to admit three offences at Carlisle Crown Court. Guilty pleas were entered to two counts of burglary with intent to steal and one of attempted burglary.

Turner, of Station Road, Workington, received a three-month prison sentence from Judge Peter Davies.

Kim Whittlestone, prosecuting, said a member of the public was at home in bed when they heard the sound of breaking glass.

He was concerned his car might have been broken into and looked out of the window. He saw Turner, who had climbed into a building having smashed a window.

“He contacted police, who arrived with a police dog, Misty. Police followed and the dog identified this defendant,” said Miss Whittlestone.

“By that stage he had climbed on to a wall.”

Turner, dressed in dark clothing and gloves, had made an “untidy search” of the recycling centre.

Attempts had been made to enter to nearby garages.

Miss Whittlestone said Turner was initially bailed by magistrates and made subject to an electronically-monitored curfew. But when he breached this he was remanded in custody.

His criminal record contained 61 offences.

Turner was said to have served the equivalent of a 12-month sentence having been in custody since October.

Judge Davies noted that Turner had initially denied the latest charges before changing his pleas on the day of his trial.

“You are a twit, you really are,” the judge told him. “Why you bothered to have a trial about this I do not know.”

Turner was set to be released from prison immediately.