Bizarre moment burglar climbs through McDonald's window to steal bag of food - before he is caught two days later after torching his flat

This is the bizarre moment a hungry burglar broke into a McDonald's drive-thru to steal a bag of food - two days before he set fire to his own flat.

Scott Goulding, 24, was spotted on CCTV smashing the window of the fast food restaurant before climbing through the shattered glass.

Footage showed him prowling around the service area on January 4 before making his way into the branch located in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

After heading into the restaurant, Goulding made his escape whilst clasping a bag of food in his hand.

McDonalds staff discovered the break-in after noticing the shattered window the following morning. 

Two days following the incident, the criminal set fire to his own home in a block of flats, forcing several residents to escape from their flats.

One woman, who was also in the block of flats, had to jump out of a window to safety. 

Emergency services were called to his home in Shireoaks Court, Mansfield, after residents reported the blaze at around 5.30am.

Goulding was discovered to be coming in and out of consciousness on the floor outside the building.

Some residents claimed he had apologised to them merely moments before, whilst also confessing to torching the flat.

Fire investigators later discovered the 24-year-old had made a makeshift bonfire in the corner of his flat using a Christmas tree, a mattress and two tables.

Prior to the blaze, Goulding could be heard throwing items around his flat in the early hours of the morning according to police investigations. 

Goulding pleaded guilty to burglary and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday.

He was handed a prison sentence of three years and four months. 

Detective Constable Kate Hardy of Nottinghamshire Police said: 'Officers on duty that night used their instincts to quickly identify Goulding as a suspect in both these incidents.

'Arson is always an extremely serious and reckless offence - but to set fire to a flat in a residential area shows a blatant disregard for the life of other people living in that block of flats and the wider neighbourhood.

'If the flames hadn't been brought under control so quickly, this fire could have had catastrophic consequences.

'It is only through good fortune that no one was seriously injured or worse.

She added: 'We also take break-ins on businesses very seriously because of the impact they can have on staff.

'It is an unpleasant experience to come into work and discover the premises have been broken into overnight.

'I am pleased the judge has seen fit to give Goulding a prison sentence and I hope he uses this time to reflect on his reckless actions.'