A SUSPECTED burglar had to call the fire brigade after becoming stuck in a hole in a wall yesterday (Tuesday, December17).

The Darlington man became wedged after trying to get into a derelict pub on the town’s Commercial Street.

He had scaled a six-foot security fence and climbed a stack of wheely bins in an attempt to squeeze his way into the building via a hole near its ceiling.

He told the fire brigade he was an artist trying to see what the building’s interior was like but his story unravelled when police could find nothing to back up his claim.

The 32-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary but escaped with a caution.

Sergeant Tony McDougall of Darlington Police said: “This is one of the more unusual arrests we have dealt with.

“While the police do see the funny side, there’s a serious message here not to go climbing into derelict buildings.

“These buildings are derelict for a reason – because they are unsafe.

“If he had got inside, he could have fallen and caused himself a great deal of harm.

“He was lucky this time.”