Man tracked burglar through Bolton's streets

6:38pm Thursday 15th May 2008

A MAN tracked a burglar through the streets of Bolton while directing police to him on his mobile phone.

Super sleuth, Andrew McClelland, spotted a home had been burgled in Astley Bridge and set about finding a suspicious character he had seen minutes earlier.

He eventually spotted the man - who was carrying a lump hammer - and followed him through five streets until he hid in a garden.

Mr McClelland then directed police to the hiding burglar, who was arrested and later dealt with at court.

Yesterday his "bravery and public spirit" were recognised by the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Edith Conn, and the Recorder of Bolton, Judge William Morris.

Judge Morris said: "Your public spiritedness and brave actions led to the prompt arrest of the offender who had just burgled a house. I can only commend and congratulate you for what you did.

"If only more members of the public acted in this way, life would be a great deal harder for criminals."

Mr McClelland, a 45-year-old technology technician at Hayward School, in Great Lever, was walking down Moss Bank Way in Astley bridge at around 4pm on March 17 when he spotted a man, armed with a hammer and wearing a hoodie, scaling a fence.

He walked on, and when on his way back 20 minutes later realised a window in a house had been broken.

Mr McClelland said: "I saw this guy scaling a fence with a hoodie on, looking like a typical burglar. I just couldn't believe my eyes. I called the police later when I saw the window had been smashed, then I spotted him again. I perused him, keeping a good distance away, but he was aware of my presence. Why he didn't turn on me I don't know."

Mr McClelland followed the man for hundreds of yards before joining up with the police in Smithills.

He was given a £250 cheque for his efforts yesterday.

Judge Morris said: "Quite rightly, fearing the worse, you began a search of the area for the man you had seen earlier.

"Soon, you saw him and he was carrying a heavy lump hammer. Nevertheless, and with some real courage, you followed him having contacted the police."

Mr McClelland, from Smithills, said it was important to set a good example to young people: "I think it's important that the other side of crime is given a profile, especially as there is such a glorification of crime amongst some young people. So, if you do something wrong you get punished; if you do something good you get rewarded."

Leon Gayle, aged 23, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary and was given a 12-month sentence, to be suspended over 12 months, when he appeared at Bolton Crown Court on April 8. He was also ordered to complete a drug treatment programme and was put under a 12-month supervision order.

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