Burglar tried to paddle to France

A wanted burglar has been jailed after he admitted stealing a kayak and trying to paddle across one of the world’s busiest sea lanes to start a new life in France.

Paul Redford, 46, was on the run after committing thefts in Darlington and Blyth, Northumberland, dating back to 2011, when he had to be rescued a mile into the English Channel by the RNLI last month.