Burglars caught online sentenced

Two burglars who were caught by a homeowner ransacking his home live on the internet have been sentenced. John Ellison, 52, from Lancaster, was alerted by his home security system as he holidayed in Spain and watched live CCTV footage on his laptop computer.

Magistrates sentenced Mark Johnson, 46, from Lancaster, to six months for the burglary and six months for an unrelated assault. Ian McClements, 20, of Morecambe, was sentenced to custody for four months. Johnson, of Elgin Street, and McClements, of Arnside, Regent Caravan Park, admitted burglary at a previous hearing. The pair shouted insults and threats as they were led away at Lancaster Magistrates' Court.

Johnson, who was late for court after going to a local pub, shouted: "I'll be out in six. I'll see you then."

Mr Ellison, a company director, contacted police in Lancashire as he watched the burglary unfold on 7 September 2005.

He watched the scenes from Spain as three masked raiders worked their way through his house causing £12,000 worth of damage.

Mr Ellison then saw the police arrive and arrest the pair via the 16 CCTV cameras he had installed in his home. A third man has not been caught.

He then toasted their arrest with a glass of champagne. Speaking after the sentencing, Mr Ellison said he was pleased with the outcome. "My mobile phone rang and advised me that the burglar alarm had been activated so I just logged onto the internet, looked at the intruders and was not happy," he said. "I rang the police and told them that there was intruders there and within four and a half minutes the police were there. It was remarkable really. I was hoping they would get three years, but I'm glad they are both off the streets. I'm delighted, it's made my day. All the insults are despicable and really betrays their position in life. They are slime. I'll be celebrating tonight - with another bottle of champagne."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/6091170.stm