AN EASTERN European drug addict caught stripping the lead from a house roof in Bradford has been jailed for 16 months and warned by the judge to mend his ways or risk being unwelcome in the UK.

Czech national Jan Hromadko was seized by neighbours when he made a return trip to raid the property in Merton Road, Little Horton, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Just hours earlier, he had stolen £500 of copper piping and a fridge freezer from inside the house, being renovated to let out as student accommodation.

Prosecutor Louise Reevell said Hromadko, 27, caused a lot of damage by ripping out the pipework and tearing up floorboards.

He left a footprint behind but told police it wasn't him, someone had borrowed his shoes.

After the overnight break-in, on June 24 and 25, Hromadko was detained by residents when he made a return visit to steal lead.

Flashing worth £1,200 was found by police at his home.

Mrs Reevell said Hromadko had a Stanley knife on him when he was arrested.

Hromadko pleaded guilty at the magistrates court to burglary, attempted theft and possession of a bladed article.

His solicitor advocate, Ray Singh, said he was a drug addict who had since left Bradford and had been living with a relative in Owen Road, Wolverhampton, but voluntarily returned to face justice. He was tackling his drug addiction while held in custody on remand.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC urged him: " Sort yourself out, or very soon somebody is going to say 'If you commit offences here, you are not welcome in this country."