Hartlepool burglar has jail term cut - but not before his namesake is mistakenly hauled before top judges

Judges at London's Criminal Appeal Court expected 'professional burglar' Sean Marshall to appear over a video link from HMP Northumberland for a challenge to his sentence.

But they eventually discovered they were looking at another Sean Marshall when the man on screen waved his hand and shouted "that's not me, that's not me" as the case started.

The man confirmed his name was Sean Marshall, but when quizzed by Lady Justice Hallet about whether he was due to have an appeal, he replied: "No".

He said he was 26 - 10 years younger than the man appealing against his sentence.

Lady Justice Hallett told him: "We are very sorry to have troubled you Mr Marshall, we have got the wrong Sean Marshall."

"No bother, thank you," he told the judge, who was sitting with Mr Justice Dingemans and Mrs Justice Patterson.

Lady Justice Hallett added: "Thank goodness the non-real Sean Marshall was listening."

Following a break, the "real" Sean Marshall appeared in court and had his sentence cut.

The 36-year-old, of Dobson Place, Hartlepool, was jailed for six years and four months at Teesside Crown Court in January after he admitted burglary and handling stolen goods.

He broke into a house in the town, where a couple and their two-year-old were sleeping upstairs, and ransacked the kitchen before stealing £30 and some valuables.

While in the house, he smoked a cigarette and left the butt behind - creating a forensic trail which led officers straight to him.

His lawyers argued the jail term was 'too tough' and his sentence was cut by three months.