YORK's most notorious burglar was back behind bars today after imprisoning an Acomb woman and her 13-year-old son in their own home.

John Michael Harris, 20, known as Blip Boy for his single-handed ability to send York crime figures soaring, burst into the woman's home as he tried to avoid police he believed were out looking for him.

He later left the house without having been detained.

Anil Murray, prosecuting, told Hull Crown Court that a month afterwards, Harris stole money from a cashpoint machine in Hull.

The action led to his capture when a group of residents, including the holder of the account from which he had stolen, kept watch on the machine to see if he would return.

As he struggled to escape, he grazed a security officer's hand by biting it, the court heard.

He then gave a false name both to police and at repeated magistrates court hearings.

Only when he failed to turn up for one such hearing did officers check his fingerprints and realise his true identity.

Harris, of Kingsway West, Acomb, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, handling stolen bank cards, theft of £1,500 in cash and assault with intent to resist arrest.

He also admitted two charges of false imprisonment.

Judge Tim Hewitt jailed him for three years and nine months, including 12 months unserved prison time.

Harris had been released early, under normal prison procedure, from a previous three-and-a-half year sentence imposed for burglaries in York.

Harris sat quietly throughout the hearing, at times appearing tired and downcast.

But he smiled at the sentence.

Nigel Wray, defending, said Harris apologised to the Acomb couple and the security guard.

He had only gone into the house on July 28 and bolted the door because he saw police searching for him. He had not intended to frighten anyone.

He also allowed the boy to get medicine for his grandmother.

Updated: 10:01 Saturday, January 27, 2001