WHEN police were called to investigate a burglary at Fartown, they needed help.

They got it from Jason Maude, who did all he could to help a police officer with their inquiries.

But now Maude has been jailed for a year – after a court heard he was the burglar.

Maude should have been in his own house at the time because he was subject to an electronically-tagged curfew.

But when the officer began inquiries at the property in Blackhouse Road, Fartown, she came across the 23-year-old.

Maude told the officer he had heard banging coming from his neighbour's house and had come outside to investigate himself.

With Maude’s assistance the officer was able to climb into the property and the two of them made a search of the house.

Prosecutor Yunus Valli said equipment was found to be missing from a computer desk and the householder later confirmed a computer tower and keyboard together with other items had been taken. Forensic tests revealed Maude’s DNA was on a blow torch found inside the property and he also used a stolen SIM card to phone for a taxi a couple of days later.

When police visited Maude’s home on Blackhouse Road they were able to recover the stolen computer equipment.

During questioning Maude admitted he had been in breach of his tag when he committed the burglary last month.

Judge John Potter was told that Maude had recently found out that he had a three-month old daughter and that had led to a real change in his life.

His barrister Adam Birkby said he now wanted to break the cycle to offending, breaching orders and coming back before court.