A burglar was caught fleeing a home he had targeted by the owner wearing his dressing gown and an off-duty police officer.

Sergeant Chris Casey, part of Birmingham’s Safer Travel Team, spotted the 48 year-old victim in his night clothes chasing a man down Kineton Green Road, in Olton, as he drove home from work.

Sgt Casey immediately stopped his car and ran to the aid of the householder, who had been disturbed by burglar Jamie McCabe smashing down his door.

McCabe, aged 26, of Severne Road, Acocks Green, was holding the victim’s car keys as he drunkenly tried to escape.

And at Leamington Justice Centre McCabe was jailed for two years after admitting burglary.

Sgt Casey said: “I saw two males running in the street. At first I thought there had been a fight, but when I got closer I noticed one was in a dressing gown.

“I called 999 and took over from the victim, pinning the offender to the ground. He was drunk and struggling, but I kept him detained before officers arrived. The homeowner did a great job, all credit to him.”

McCabe smashed a door pane at the address in the early hours of August 14 and snatched keys to a BMW 3-Series parked in the driveway.

But before he was able to get into the car he was disturbed by the victim who ran downstairs.

McCabe, who had previous convictions for car crime in Solihull, refused to comment during a police interview, but was charged with burglary and later admitted the offence.

Solihull Police Sergeant Andy O’Keeffe said: “McCabe was found with the car keys and arrested in the street running from the scene. Some offenders believe staying silent during interview somehow helps their case, that’s simply not the case.

“McCabe is someone who’s been on our radar for some time. Thankfully he’s been taken off our streets for a considerable period of time and will be robustly monitored by our offender management team upon his release.”