A police mugshot showing the gurning expression of a convicted burglar has prompted comparisons to comic legend Les Dawson.

David Wright, 37, was caught on CCTV fleeing an address carrying more than £3,000 worth of stolen goods while the victim was on holiday.

A hilarious photo taken at a police station in Bradford following his arrest shows a disgruntled-looking Wright posing for a custody image.

His bizarre expression has been compared to legendary rubbery-faced comedian Les Dawson, famed for his gurning expressions and witty one-liners.

Social media users were quick to wade in with disparaging comparisons of the mug shot.

One Facebook user wrote: "And the winner of the World Gurning Championship is...".

Another added: "Les Dawson is looking rough."

Others were quick to highlight Wright's disheveled appearance, with one user quipping: "Jailed for two years and ordered to run a comb through that Barnet."

Another comment read: "Could have stolen a comb."

Another wag commented: "That's the face I pulled when I saw the simultaneous equation question on my maths GCSE paper."

Some users compared the thief to Simpsons characters Sideshow Bob and Willie the groundskeeper.

Bradford Crown Court heard Wright was caught carrying a £400 television set, two £300 PlayStations, £1,000 worth of games, two laptop computers and a gold pendant from a house.

Prosecutor Syam Soni told the court Wright and an accomplice targeted the three-bedroom house in Bradford at around 7am on August 12, 2019.

Locks were smashed and doors and windows damaged in the break-in, leaving the householder with a £300 repair bill, it was heard.

Wright was recognised by a neighbour and he left a screwdriver at the scene with his DNA on it, Mr Soni said.

He was arrested and later pleaded guilty to the burglary as well as possession of a wrap of cocaine, damaging a police cell and breaching a restraining order.

The court heard he was arrested on April 17 this year for breaching the order and was found in possession of the Class A drugs.

Wright had 21 previous convictions for 48 offences, including matters of violence, shop thefts, motoring offences and harassment.

Wright read out a letter to Judge Neil Davey QC in which he begged for a chance.

He had been addicted to drugs for nine years but was free from them after being remanded in Leeds Prison, it was heard.

He said he had already taken great steps towards a crime-free life, adding: “I need to stress how serious I am about changing my criminal ways."

Wright’s barrister Abdul Shakoor said he had suffered tragedies in his earlier life that had led to serious mental health problems.

The burglary was almost two years old and he had since served a jail sentence after being convicted of dangerous driving.

Judge Davey said he was impressed by Wright’s letter but an immediate prison sentence was the only option.

He was jailed for two years for the burglary with four months to run consecutively for breaching the restraining order.