A burglar in Burnley, England, was caught red-handed while ransacking a home there — and still had a frozen-lollipop stick from when he had gone through the victim’s freezer.

Neighbors alerted police after suspicious sounds were heard coming from a property on Westbourne Avenue, in Coal Clough, the town’s crown court was told.

Householder Eileen Pollard was away, having locked and alarmed the house on April 17, the court heard. Police arrived and found a cereal bowl, which someone had used to eat Weetabix, and a Magnum frozen lollipop had been taken from a freezer.

Shortly thereafter, police confronted the man, identified as 24-year-old Anthony Clarke, loading stuff from Pollard’s home into a suitcase, said prosecutor Sarah Statham. Two other bags, containing things from Pollard’s bedroom, were later discovered on the landing.

And when Clarke was arrested he still had a Magnum frozen-lollipop stick in his pocket.

When Clarke was detained he was wearing a pair of shoes, which he had stolen from the front porch of a nearby home, in an attempt to cover his tracks, the court heard.

Clarke, who confessed to dumping his own shoes in a trash bin on his way to carrying out the burglary, said when initially confronted by police, “You have caught me red-handed.”

Appearing for sentence, Clarke confessed to burglary and asked for six offenses — one burglary and five thefts from cars, to be considered.

Richard Taylor, Clarke’s defense attorney, said that his client’s drug use had spiraled out of control, at the time of the crime.

He urged the court to consider whether or not rehab could be provided to help him conquer his problems with addiction.

“Heroin has ruined his life and he is ashamed of the course he has ended up on,” said Taylor.

“He is articulate and communicative. When he was arrested the first thing he said was ‘I am sorry for the lady whose house this is’.”

Recorder John Corless imposed a 36-week prison sentence on Clarke, suspended for 12 months. He must undertake a six-month drug rehabilitation order, as part of his sentence, and live under supervised probation for 12 months.