Group face assault investigation after apprehending burglar who had his head stamped on after breaking into Dewsbury house

A court heard the men who tackled Anthony Douglas now face a separate police investigation over the incident.

Leeds Crown Court heard Douglas targeted an unoccupied property on Halifax Road on October 13 this year.

Gareth Henderson-Moore, prosecuting, said the owner of the property saw Douglas leaving the house with a DVD player and shouted "stop that thief."

The prosecutor said the victim and others carried out a citizen's arrest upon the defendant who then offered to return the stolen item.

The court heard Douglas was armed with a screwdriver at the time.

Douglas, 39, was interviewed and admitted the offence. He pleaded guilty to burglary.

He has 39 previous convictions for burglary.

Douglas had been out of prison on a tag for just two months when he carried out the break-in.

Eddison Flint, mitigating, said: "When the complainant said 'stop that thief' he was stopped by two men and was the subject of a citizen's arrest.

"A large group of men surrounded him and beat him quite badly.

"While he was on the floor under the citizen's arrest he was stamped on the head and kicked in the face."

Mr Flint said Douglas was taken to hospital with injuries after being arrested.

The barrister continued: "It is a situation where the complaint and others are being investigated.

"The defendant tells me that he has grazing marks on his cheeks and forehead where he was stamped upon repeatedly..

"There is nothing that excuses him breaking into the property, Perhaps there has been some summary justice dispensed there."

The barrister said Douglas mainly committed shop burglaries but targeted the house as he looked for somewhere to sleep after learning he was about to lose the accommodation where he had been staying.

Mr Flint said Douglas,of Victoria Crescent, Dewsbury, was in possession of a small screwdriver which he used to help him smoke his crack pipe.

He added: "He wanted to get into the house to smoke his crack and get his head down. He saw the DVD player and thought he could use it to fund his habit."

Judge Christopher Batty jailed Douglas for 14 months.