Watch the moment clumsy burglar falls down FOUR times while trying to escape break-in

Mr Pickering, who resides on Marx Crescent, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court last week where he received a 12-month prison term after pleading guilty to two burglary charges.

Security cameras at a petrol station in Ouston, Chester-le-Street, recorded the hapless criminal's repeated failures as he attempted to flee through the same roof opening he had used to gain entry.

Each time the ladders collapsed beneath him, Pickering crashed back down to the floor.

The incident unfolded during the early morning hours of October 21 when Pickering dropped through a hole in the roof and proceeded to ransack the premises.

His activities resulted in losses and damage totalling approximately £3,219.

After his four unsuccessful attempts to escape via the ceiling, the burglar eventually located a side entrance where his accomplice joined him inside.

Daniel Reay, 46, who has no fixed address, was apprehended shortly afterwards, and officers recovered a black Ford Focus containing stolen items.

Forensic investigators discovered a substantial quantity of blood at the scene, which was subsequently matched to Pickering.

Reay received a community order with requirements for alcohol treatment and rehabilitation.

Durham Police shared the CCTV footage on their Facebook page, setting the clumsy escape attempts to Strauss's Blue Danube waltz.

In the video shared, the police also included clips from Pickering's police interview, showing his reaction as detectives played back his embarrassing tumbles.

Mr Pickering can be seen holding his head in his hands as he watches the scenes of his accident-prone burglary unfold.

At one point during the interview, Mr Pickering can be seen knocking over his cup, scrambling to pick it back up.

The video garnered widespread reaction from viewers, with one commenting: "Oh goodness me I have not giggled this much in so long.

"The music and the grand finale at the end are a work of art."

Another described the post as "pure genius" and commended the "brilliant editing".

Reacting to Mr Pickering managing to knock over his cup, one viewer made the remark: "Bit clumsy, isn't he?"

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