A CAT burglar thought he had made the purr-fect getaway after he raided a house in Bury.

But Gary Sutcliffe has now started a four-and-a-half year prison sentence after he was foiled by three unlikely crimefighters - cats Max, Tigger and Thomas.

Forensic evidence revealed that hairs on the 43-year-old's clothing belonged to the three moggies who lived at the house in Bolton Road, Hawkshaw.

Sutcliffe, from Hammerton Green, Bacup, had pleaded guilty to burglary and dangerous driving when he had previously appeared at Bolton Crown Court.

At last Friday's sentencing, Burnley Crown Court was told how, in the early hours of October 2, Sutcliffe forced open a window leading into the cellar of a house on Bolton Road. He made his way into the main part of the house but was confronted by the homeowner, Mr James Fitton. Sutcliffe ran out of the house, taking with him a handbag and £30 in cash.

A police patrol, which was travelling to the scene, spotted a Ford Fiesta without lights speeding towards Ramsbottom, with articles of clothing being thrown from the windows. These were later found to be a hat and a pair of gloves. The Fiesta passed through several red lights, continued along the M66 before overturning on a roundabout in the centre of Rawtenstall.

Sutcliffe, who was driving the vehicle, was taken to Fairfield General Hospital for treatment to minor injuries. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of burglary and dangerous driving. Throughout interview Sutcliffe denied any involvement in the incident and he was later bailed, pending further enquiries.

The investigation revealed that the window which Sutcliffe had used to climb into the cellar at Bolton Road, was also used by the family's cats. Forensic examination of Sutcliffe's outer clothes, including the hat and gloves thrown from the vehicle, revealed that samples of cat hair taken from the window were found to match those on his clothing.

Mr Fitton, the owner of the three cats, said: "I'd like to have got hold of him myself but I'm delighted the cats have played a part.

"They live in the cellar and come and go as they please through the window, which he chose to come in through as well.

"I was quite amused when I heard how they had caught Sutcliffe."

Detective Constable Mick Balfe, from Bury CID, said: "The forensic evidence uncovered in this case provided an inextricable link between Sutcliffe and the scene of the crime. The presence of Max, Tigger and Thomas in the house provided us with evidence that we could really get our claws into.

"Sutcliffe had initially refused to admit any involvement in the series of events for which he was arrested. On being presented with the irrefutable evidence provided by the cat hair he pleaded guilty to the charges at court.''

" You could say that this cat burglar has just lost one of his nine lives!"