A MAN was left cursing his luck after a woman he was banned from seeing burst through a front door and hid in a cupboard.

Aiden Rye, 37, was restricted from associating with convicted thief Chloe Sadler-Smith after being in her company during a previous raid she undertook.

However, when he was spending time at a friend’s house in Greenstead, Colchester, on Monday, he was surprised to see the 33-year-old pile through the front door after their shared pal let her in.

Sadler-Smith, who had just been caught stealing from the East of England Co-op in Monkwick Avenue, Colchester, then hid in a cupboard and awaited the police’s arrival.

“The police were in hot pursuit and found them both in the property,” said Lucy Osborne, mitigating.

Gazette: Bail hearing - Colchester Magistrates' CourtBail hearing - Colchester Magistrates' Court (Image: Newsquest)

Ms Osborne argued Rye, of Arnold Drive, Colchester, was unaware of who was about to enter the property and there had been “no suggestion” he’s breached any court order imposed upon him.

“She just happened to arrive at the address he was at,” she added.

Rye, who is awaiting a trial for another matter, was released on conditional bail and told he must continue to distance himself from Sadler-Smith.

He will also be the subject of an electronically monitored curfew between 7pm and 7am.