A burglar who was carrying a metal bar when he entered the home of a Colchester lorry driver has been given a suspended sentence.

The victim of the burglary was in his flat in Military Road at 4.30am on May 24 getting ready for work when he heard a back door rattling, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Thinking it was his son he unlocked the door and was shocked to see a stranger carrying a large metal bar in the hallway.

The intruder walked past the victim into the fiat and asked: “What have you got in here?,” said Emma Nash, prosecuting.

The victim of the burglary ran outside and flagged down a passing car and contacted the police.

When the intruder was arrested he had a Stanley knife in his pocket.

Before the court was Jimmy Kerrigan , 20, of Astbury Road, London, who admitted burglary and having a Stanley knife.

He was given 18 months detention suspended for two years, 100 hours unpaid work, a 20 day rehabilitation requirement and a nine month drug testing and treatment order.

Peter Clark, for Kerrigan, said his client needed help to overcome drug and alcohol issues.