A MARSH man was upset after a crime spree – and handed a stolen TV to police.

Now Paul Ramsden has appeared in court after ransacking a house while the owner was away.

Ramsden forced his way into the empty property and stole hundreds of pounds worth of goods.

But magistrates heard that the 40-year-old was so upset following the break in that he returned a stolen television to police.

The bench was told that the house in Kimberley Street, Dewsbury, was burgled between November 2 and 4.

Vanessa Schofield, prosecuting, said that at the time owner Susanne Mortimer was away from her home.

Ms Schofield said that Ramsden, of Spire Court, used the communal access to get to the back of the property.

He then forced open a panel in a rear window to get inside the house.

Ramsden – who recently changed his surname from Marsden – stole over £800 worth of goods.

These included a vacuum cleaner worth £200, a flat screen TV valued at just over £300, a clock, an iron, several bottles of alcohol worth £100 and some food.

Ramsden was arrested after police found a hat he had dropped in the garden and used it to identify him.

After being quizzed by police, Ramsden returned to the police station on December 3 with the stolen TV.

Ms Schofield said: “He was quite upset and explained that he had a difficulty in relation to drug taking.

“The defendant was tested positive for cocaine and opiates.

“He said he needed help to get his life back on track.”

Magistrates were told that before the burglary Ramsden had not offended for two years.

He was jailed for 12 weeks in 2000 for a burglary.

Paul Blanchard, mitigating, said that his client’s offending was now less prolific.

He said: “He made full and frank admissions.

“It was after his interview that he took the TV back to the police station and expressed his significant remorse.”

Ramsden was remanded on bail pending sentencing at Leeds Crown Court on February 4.

Ramsden was ordered to comply with the Drugs Intervention Programme as part of his bail conditions.