A burglar who entered a house in Lowestoft at night while the occupants were asleep could avoid jailed when he is sentenced next month.

Shaun Collier, 32, of St Peter's Court, Chapel Street, Lowestoft, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday to burglary at a property in High Street, Lowestoft and stealing £80 in September last year.

Adjourning sentence for a pre-sentence report, Judge David Goodin said: 'This is a burglary of a dwelling at night while the occupants were asleep. Such burglaries usually merit an immediate custodial sentence. That's what the public expects and that's what tends to happen.'

However he said he was 'narrowly' persuaded by Collier's barrister, Danielle O'Donovan, to adjourn for a probation report to look at alternatives to immediate custody.

He warned Collier that the sentencing judge wouldn't be bound by the recommendations in the report and an immediate custodial sentence could still be passed.

Collier will be sentenced during the week commencing April 18.