A bungling thief’s attempt to rob a house in Broughty Ferry was thwarted by an eagle-eyed early-morning jogger.
Sean Van Lierop then jumped out of a first-floor window to try to escape police officers pursuing him.
The 36-year-old went into John and Gina Adams’ home on Marlee Road through the back door, and took items from various rooms.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, Van Lierop, of Ballantrae Road, was jailed for 17 months for the offence.
He also admitted two charges of police assault.
Depute fiscal Laura McPherson told the court police were in the Marlee Road area at 5.30am on June 25 last year when they were approached by a female jogger, who alerted them to the incident.
The fiscal said: “The jogger said she saw the back door of the locus slightly ajar and thought that was unusual.
“Police went immediately and saw the door ajar and the accused in the kitchen area, moving about.
“The accused saw police approach and slammed the back door shut and ran towards the front of the house.
“Mrs Adams heard the noise and woke up, and woke her husband, who went to investigate.”
Van Lierop was seen to go upstairs and when he got to the top of the stairs, Mr Adams took hold of him by the arms in an attempt to restrain him.
Van Lierop jumped out of a window and climbed into a neighbouring garden but was chased by police.
He then tried to jump over a wall but a police officer grabbed hold of him and he lashed out – and attempted to punch the officer.
He was taken to police headquarters where he was placed in a cell and later punched an officer through the hatch of the cell door.
Along with the assaults, Van Lierop admitted that he entered a property on Marlee Road uninvited, while the occupants were sleeping, and stole a notepad, playing cards, a hard drive, an iPad, a card for Amazon, car keys, an iPod touch, £5 cash and a wallet, on June 25 last year.
