A BURGLAR who fell and broke his ankle as he scaled a fence to flee a crime scene has been jailed for three years.

Darren Willis, a 43-year-old heroin addict, confessed to another 12 burglaries when police caught up with him in September, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Forced to run from a house in the middle of the afternoon when the homeowner heard his accomplice rummaging through a jewellery box, he hurt himself and had to seek help from a neighbour.

Prosecuting, Desmond Duffy told the court how prior to Willis’ accident the pair had stolen a laptop, foreign money and jewellery. The police were called and took him to hospital for his injuries.

Mitigating, Robert Grey said Willis, of St Michael’s Road, Bournemouth, who admitted burglary, gave considerable help to the police.

“He went out with officers in a car and pointed out other premises he had burgled,” said Mr Grey.

“His frankness led to an answer that otherwise, in many cases, they would never have known.”

When Willis left prison earlier this year, he had “come out to nothing” as his wife and father had both died, Mr Grey added.

Sentencing Willis, Judge Samuel Wiggs said: “Full credit to you for the assistance you gave to the police.

“The fact is, however, that you have a very extensive record.”