Teen burglar escaped from Leeds police in handcuffs then used bolt croppers to free himself before carrying out second house raid

Dylan McEwan fled barefoot from officers before bolt croppers were used to remove the handcuffs.

McEwan then carried out a further burglary at a house in Bramley hours later.

McEwan, 18, was sent to a young offender institution for 25 months at Leeds Crown Court over his crime spree in September last year.

David Ward, prosecuting, said McEwan, aged 17 at the time, was stopped by police as he drove a car on Henconner Lane, Bramley, on September 21.

The teenager ran from the car and officers found a wallet and a mobile phone in the vehicle which had been taken during a burglary at a house on Rose Terrace, Horsforth, earlier that day.

Mr Ward said the defendant was circulated as wanted by police and he was arrested at his home the next day.

McEwan was again circulated as wanted and another burglary took place at a house on Wellstone Road, Bramley, a short time later.

Officers then received information that the teenager was in a caravan parked on a driveway outside a house on Wellstone Gardens.

The officers went to the caravan and arrested McEwan as he tried to climb out of a window.

The court heard his handcuffs had been removed using bolt croppers and others had helped him by bringing him clothing and shoes.

A mobile phone stolen in the Wellstone Road burglary was found in the caravan.

Mr Ward said an officer answered the phone when it started to ring.

He added: "A voice said 'hello where's Dylan'.

"It appears he (McEwan) had appropriated the phone and was using it to contact people."

He denied two counts of burglary but was found guilty of both offences after a trial.

At the time of the offences he was the subject of a youth referral order for burglary.

Shila Whitehead, mitigating, said: "He turned 18 at the beginning of this year.

"He knows that if he doesn't turn his life around he is going to be coming forwards and backwards before this court.

"He tells me that he knows it is time to stop offending."

Sentencing McEwan, Recorder Anesh Pema said: "I am told you are a man who is at a crossroads in your life.

"I hope it is clear to you that you understand the need for a change."