A burglar went to elaborate lengths to try and escape arrest – by hiding in a garden pond.

Mold Crown Court heard how Michael Purcell, 26, of Ellesmere Port, had his head under water for some time hoping he would not be spotted after the alarm was raised.

A police dog tracked him to the pond and officers called to him to come out. He refused – but changed his mind when the dog was released.

Purcell struggled with police and kicked out at them – and ended up being bitten by the police dog during the melee.

The court heard how Purcell was one of four men who had travelled to the village of Greenfield in Flintshire in a stolen car.

A house was ransacked and property including a computer were taken.

Police followed the car on the A548 Coast Road a short time later but when the blue lights were put on, the stolen Skoda Octavia sped off at up to 70mph in a 30mph area.

Officers lost sight of it, but the car was later found parked up in a driveway and one of the burglars, Patrick Joseph Hanrahan was found nearby out of breath. He said he was looking for work.

But David Mainstone, prosecuting, said Purcell went to more elaborate lengths to try and get away by hiding in the pond.

Purcell of Fourth Avenue in Gwersyllt, near Wrexham, but formerly of Myrtle Street in Ellesmere Port and Hanrahan, age 45, of Princess Road in Ellesmere Port, both admitted burglary at The Laurels in Greenfield on May 22, jointly with others.

Judge Niclas Parry jailed Purcell for two years and six months and Hanrahan for two years and told them it was pre-planned, aggravated by the ransacking of the property.

They both had previous convictions .