A serial burglar fell into a trap when he raided a police “capture house” in Bradford, a Court heard.

Timothy Jackson, 22, was jailed for two years after he was caught on camera at the property – specially set up to snare criminals – on Ravenscliffe estate.

Jackson escaped a three-year tariff for being a “three strikes” house-breaker because he knew the house was unfurnished and unoccupied, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to twice burgling the “capture house”, breaking the lock on February 10 and returning two days later to steal copper wire, causing loss and damage totalling £5,000.

When Jackson’s solicitor advocate, Andrew Walker, told the court his client was caught burgling the “capture house,” Judge Benson replied: “It seems to have fulfilled its purpose.”

But Mr Walker said Jackson, of Roundwood Avenue, Ravenscliffe, committed the offence with a youth who used to live there and knew it was unfurnished. The teenager was arrested in the garden and dealt with by a community penalty at Bradford Youth Court.

Jackson had previous convictions for aggravated vehicle taking and robbery and had been recalled to prison on licence after burgling the capture house weeks after being sentenced for an earlier burglary.

Mr Walker said that because of the circumstances, Jackson should be spared the full three-year jail term.

Judge Benson conceded it would not be fair to lock him up for the full term.

“Given the nature of the dwelling, it would be unjust to impose that length of sentence in this case,” he said.