Dwarf helped burglars to plunder derelict houses » Local government » 24dash.com

A dwarf was caught helping burglars by climbing through holes too small for a full-size man, a court heard.

Lee Kildare, who is 3ft 11in tall, was used by a gang of thieves to plunder derelict houses of scrap metal.

Kildare, of Southern Road, Walker, Newcastle, and his accomplices then sold the metal at Tyneside junk yards and shared the profits.

But now the 22-year-old's criminal career has been brought to a halt after he was caught rummaging through a house on Bernard Street, in the city.

Kildare had gained access to the house through a small hole in the bottom of the front door and was on the hunt for scrap copper and lead.

Prosecutor Fiona Varley told Newcastle Magistrates' Court that on the evening of May 2 a security guard heard a noise coming from a council-owned house.

"He heard the voices of someone within the premises and could hear metal being moved around. He contacted the police and returned to the property and could still hear the noises inside and the sound of metal being moved," she said.

"The security guard saw a broken panel on the bottom of the front door. Officers attended and they could see tiles falling from the roof and a head poking out of a hole.

"While the Pc was liaising with the security guard, a male now known to be Lee Kildare poked his head through the broken panel in the door.

"The defendant helped himself through the hole and was arrested. There were several pieces of metal around the area."

Michael Crowe, defending, said Kildare has a condition called achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism apparent at birth.

He said: "He was able to get through a small hole in the house in question and it is right to say he is taken advantage of on occasion by others.

"They encourage him to participate in this activity because, as a result of his size, he finds it easier to get into smaller places."

Kildare admitted non-dwelling house burglary.

He was given a 12-month community order with supervision and told to stick to a three-month curfew between 8pm and 7am.