Stephen Ramshaw was caught by police officers after breaking in to Seaton Hirst Middle School, in Ashington.

South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court heard that the school's caretaker had locked up at 6.30pm on July 22 but just before 1am the school's alarm suddenly went off.

Ms Sarah O'Neil, prosecuting, said the alarm alerted officers in the police's control room that there were intruders in the school.

She said: "The caretaker contacted police to ask for assistance. Officers went to the school, got access to the building from the caretaker and saw Ramshaw standing in the main corridor of the school."

Ramshaw was arrested, telling police it was the first time he had been in the school and someone had told him it was 'easy graft'.

An examination found a pane of glass had been broken where Ramshaw had gained entry to the school while the reception area had been disturbed.

Ramshaw, aged 32, of Woodhorn Road, Ashington pleaded guilty to burglary of a non-dwelling property.

Mr John Monkhouse, defen-ding, said that guidelines for the starting point for sentence of a non-dwelling property was a community band.

He added: "As far as this matter is concerned, nothing was taken. The place was disturbed but not trashed.

"An attempt was made to get into an area of the school which was locked and damage caused as a result.

"We're not talking about a wholesale trashing, nothing was taken, nothing smashed."

But magistrates called for an all-option pre-sentence report, including the possibility of a custodial sentence.

Ramshaw will re-appear at court for sentencing on August 14.