A BURGLAR was “very relieved” when the police arrived to arrest him after he chose the “wrong flat to burgle”.

Llewelyn Vassell was trying to steal a rucksack containing a wallet and keys after he got into a flat in Springfield Road, Penge, through a ground floor window when one of the housemates woke up.

A violent struggle ensued and the flat’s occupant managed to detain Vassell before calling out to his flatmate for help.

The flatmate helped him detain the 54-year-old by smashing a bottle over his head and Vassell was then pinned to the ground until police arrived.

When questioned by officers the welder told them he had been walking down the road past the flats when the two men had dragged him through the window.

But officers did not believe his version of what happened at around 4am on July 19 and they charged him with burglary on August 31.

He appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court the same day and the case was committed to Croydon Crown Court for trial.

Vassell pleaded guilty to burglary on November 1 and was sentenced to three years behind bars.

A Bromley police spokesman said: “Vassell certainly picked the wrong home to burgle and let's just say he was very relieved when the police arrived. ”The victims acted in an extremely courageous and brave fashion in stopping Vassell escaping.

“They were very impressive."