A would-be thief whose raid on a car breaker's yard was caught on camera was swiftly brought to justice – thanks to social media.

After going into A-Z Vehicle Dismantlers in Rome Street, Carlisle, Patrick Burns, 44, first wrenched open the door of a Vauxhall Corsa and then he turned his attention to a Jaguar, trying force its door.

The entire thing was captured by the yard's CCTV cameras.

Determined not be beaten, staff at the centre – which has been regularly targeted by thieves over the years - decided to put the footage on Facebook.

Within minutes, there were dozens of responses, including some furnishing the name of one of the two people filmed.

At Carlisle's Rickergate courts complex, Patrick Burns, 44, of Marks Avenue, Raffles, admitted two offences: causing criminal damage to the Corsa car and interfering with the Jaguar with the intention to steal.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, described how the offences came to light after staff at the centre checked the CCTV recording for September 11 and saw a man trying to force the doors of two vehicles.

It was the decision of a member of staff publish the video on Facebook that led the police to Burns, said Mrs Ward.

"He put the image on social media and obtained the defendant's name as a result," said Mrs Ward.

Burns, formerly of Hunter Street, Workington, made full admissions when confronted by the police, said Mrs Ward.

John Cooper, defending, said that Burns had been drinking on the day he committed the two crimes.

The lawyer said: “He wanted to use the toilet in there and for some reason he has gone to both those vehicles, forced open one door and tried to open the other.

"He has very little recollection of why he did it.”

Mr Cooper that while Burns had “significant” previous convictions for theft he had not been in trouble for some time.

He was also now working at a Carlisle factory.

Magistrates imposed 200 hours unpaid work, £85 costs, and £150 compensation to the victim. There was also an £85 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the case, Steven Barwick, owner of A-Z Vehicle Dismantlers, said there was an almost instant reaction when his staff member put the CCTV footage on to Facebook.

“Carlisle is a small place, where people know each other,” he said.

“Within five minutes of it going on Facebook, we'd had people messaging us, some giving us the name of the man in the recording. At the time, the police were here reviewing the footage.

“It shows the power of social media.

“We had dozens and dozens of responses. It was repeatedly shared and when I last checked it had been seen by around 10,000 people.”

Asked why it matters that Burns was swiftly brought to justice, Mr Barwick said his business, which works for major insurance companies, has regularly been targeted by thieves.

That had a direct impact on the business – both financially and in terms of the time and effort that staff must give to tackle it. The vehicle dismantlers has occupied the two and a half acre site since 1982.

It employs ten people.