AN ATTEMPTED break-in resulted in a crowbar-wielding man being apprehended by staff members at a Newport car garage.

Prices Garage staff were alerted by shock sensors fitted to the doors of their accident repair reception office on Monday night at around 9.50pm.

Within eight minutes, staff attended to secure the premises and found signs of attempted forced entry to a reception building.

A spokesman for Prices Garage said: "We saw someone lurking at the front of the premises, so a member of staff approached this individual and noticed he had a crowbar in his hands. He was expecting the crowbar to be used and managed to put the person on the floor. He was then restrained on the floor until the police arrived. Thankfully, this member of staff had some experience in this area."

The spokesman added: "The police have been outstanding. I cannot stress that enough. I'd also like to highlight to other businesses that having shock sensors fitted on your doors and windows is a massive must. Shock sensors will alert you to a break in before they get in.

"We've also installed a comprehensive colour CCTV system as we've noticed a spike in attempts since Asda was built. I'm not blaming Asda, but at any time of the day or night there are people walking up and down an unmade road - it's bizarre."

Kevin Greenwood, 39, of Godric Road, Newport was arrested at the scene and appeared before Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court yesterday (Wednesday).

He sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months for attempted burglary and ordered to pay £1,100 in compensation.

He was also sentenced for going equipped to a burglary and received 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.