A WARRANT has been issued for the arrest of a burglar who left his Lake District victim with a repair bill of around £75,000.

Darren Spicer, 44, was due to be sentenced today at Carlisle Crown Court having admitted breaking into a Windermere holiday cottage which was said to have previously undergone a high specification upgrade. However, Spicer did not attend the court hearing.

Prosecutor Beccy McGregor told the court that an estimated £75,000 worth of repairs would be needed at the holiday property as a result of the burglar's criminal conduct.

This was committed between August 11 and 15 last year when he was said by the prosecution to have "set up home" there for several days.

Extensive damage is said to have been caused to the interior, along with fixtures, fittings and other property.

Recorder Julian Shaw expressed surprise that Spicer, of Regent Street, Stotfold, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, had been granted bail having admitted the burglary charge during an earlier magistrates' court hearing.

Issuing a warrant for his arrest without bail, Recorder Shaw called the matter "extraordinary".