NOISY intruder Nicholas Howarth alerted a publican to his presence as he rummaged around looking for items to steal, a court was told.

Bury magistrates heard how Howarth, aged 28, had broken into the Elizabethan pub in Ribble Drive, Whitefield. The landlord was woken by noise downstairs and called police. Howarth escaped but was caught a short time later. A total of £300 in cash was stolen but only £70 was recovered.

Howarth, of Dover Road, Clifton, pleaded guilty to entering the pub as a trespasser and stealing cash. He was committed in custody to the Crown Court for sentence on December 10.