A burglary in Warwick turned into a struggle over a knife after the thief was caught in the act.Ajani Albouy-Lovell, 22, from Warwick, pleaded guilty yesterday in Magistrates’ Court to breaking into his neighbour’s home on April 11.The court heard that at around 10am that day, Jason DeSilva was on a couch when he heard a noise coming from his kitchen.When he went to investigate, he discovered Albouy-Lovell underneath a table with socks on his hands. Mr DeSilva grabbed a knife to defend himself, but Albouy-Lovell approached him and the pair began to struggle over the blade.During the struggle, Mr DeSilva recognised the burglar as his neighbour, whom he knew as ‘AJ’, but Albouy-Lovell said he was not AJ and that he was from Somerset.Eventually Albouy-Lovell fled without either party being injured, but later turned himself in for the offence.He told police he entered the home to steal food or money because he was hungry, and put the socks on his hands to avoid leaving evidence.Albouy-Lovell also said he had no idea Mr DeSilva was at home because his van was not there.Appearing in court, Albouy-Lovell also pleaded guilty to an unrelated matter in which he was arrested in St George’s with drug equipment — a grinder shaped like a skull wearing a crown.Prosecutor Susan Mulligan called the burglary incident a serious offence, saying it was fortunate no one was seriously injured.She also noted that Albouy-Lovell has a long history of similar offences, and the burglary took place just two months after receiving a suspended sentence for another incident.Albouy-Lovell told the court that the incident was a mistake, and he knew his actions were wrong.“It may not look like it, but I am really trying my best to stay out of trouble,” he said. “I don’t know what else to do. I can’t get a job because of my last offence. People are shying away from me. I want help. I need help.”Duty Counsel Susan Moore-Williams meanwhile said Albouy Smith was making positive steps and trying to break the cycle that he has found himself in.Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner ordered a social inquiry report be carried out on Albouy-Lovell, remanding him into custody next month when he is to be sentenced.