A MAN returning to his house in Heslington, York, was shocked when he spotted a burglar coming out of his front door.

Police said the thief ran from the house in Windmill Lane just after 4pm, and the householder then discovered that an X-Box games console, games, and a DVD player had been stolen.

The thief was described as being white, aged 15 to 17, 5ft 6in to 5ft 8in tall, with dark hair and slightly freckled face. He was wearing a grey hooded top, a red T-shirt and jeans.

Updated: 11:31 Monday, January 20, 2003