A burglar who broke into a sleeping couple's home, watched porn and then made his way to their bedroom armed with scissors has been described by detectives as "a disturbing individual".

Stephen Andrew Sillittoe was jailed last week for two counts of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence and possession of a pointed article, Northumbria Police said.

A force spokesman said the 19-year-old, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday to serve a minimum of two and a half years.

Sillittoe was arrested and charged after an incident in North Road, Berwick, Northumberland, on Friday 26 August.

He broke into a house and viewed pornographic images on the owners' computer before making his way to the bedroom where they were asleep.

They woke up to find Sillittoe at the bedroom door, wearing latex gloves and with a pair of scissors in his hand. When they challenged him he fled the house.

Officers arrested him as he was fleeing Berwick and in December he admitted all three charges.

Detective Constable Alan Bogle, of Berwick CID, said: "This was an extremely bizarre, unusual and disturbing offence for detectives to investigate and it's the first incident of its kind officers here have ever had to deal with.

"Sillittoe is a disturbing individual who has shown no remorse for his actions and will now serve a custodial sentence for what he has done.

"The victims showed great composure at the time of the offence and throughout the investigation.

"When it happened they were able to provide an accurate description of Sillittoe and this proved a vital part in helping officers identify and apprehend him.

"Sillittoe has no ties to the area and, following good work by local officers, he was arrested as he was leaving Berwick. We are pleased with the verdict."