Goldilocks burglar discovered by New Zealand home-owner

A Goldilocks-style burglar was arrested when her victim came home to find her asleep in bed. Vanessa Joy Long, 39, who has long blonde hair tied back in a pony tail, proved an easy arrest after she broke into a house on Hills Road in Christchurch, about 11.40pm on June 5.

Finding her asleep, the homeowner phoned police, an option the three bears in the Goldilocks fable failed to exercise. She went in through an unlocked back door, raided the fridge, ate the food, drank some alcohol, went to the bedroom, tried on clothes, then climbed into the victim's bed.

She pleaded guilty in Christchurch District Court today, telling the court she had blacked out and no idea what had happened. Judge Stephen Erber bailed her for sentence on September 1.

He ordered a probation report, a report on Long's suitability for home detention, and a reparation report. He needed to know if she could pay, because this fairy tale was not going to have a happy ending. Long soiled the bedding and mattress while she was in bed, and the cost of the food, drink, and damage amounted to $1,500.