Bungling burglar was snared on house CCTV
JON MACPHERSON
ABUNGLING criminal was caught breaking into two houses on the same street after tripping an owner’s CCTV system, a court heard.
Steven Hargreaves targeted neighbouring properties on Turkey Street in Accrington to held feed his drug addiction.
The prolific offender, who has 119 previous convictions, used a screwdriver to break into the houses on November 14 while the occupants were at work, Burnley Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Lisa Worsley said one of the terraced houses had CCTV cameras set up inside and alerted the owner when movement was detected at 12.15pm.
The court was told that the owner contacted police and Hargreaves was apprehended in the back yard next to a bike and holdall containing ten watches, three sets of cuff links and £170 worth of Euros.
Police also found a getaway car nearby which included a 50-inch television and other items stolen from another Turkey Street house.
Miss Worsley said Hargreaves had ‘ransacked’ that premises by pulling out bedroom drawers, ‘rifling through’ handbags, tipping jewellery boxes onto the floor and also raiding a child’s wardrobe.
Hargreaves, of Lydia Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and was jailed for a total of 28 months.
The 37-year-old defendant was given a 15-year extended sentence in 2015 for robbery and possessing a firearm and has now been recalled on his licence until March 2020.
Defence barrister said there was no ‘ soiling or vandalism’ during the burglaries and argued they were an ‘untidy search’ and not ransacking.
He said: “These are unoccupied daytime burglaries and none of the property was taken because the police intervened.
“The court has no option but to impose an immediate custodial sentence because he has been recalled.”
Mr Stuart said Hargreaves had managed to rid himself of drugs while in prison but relapsed after being released on licence.
The court was told that the defendant was staying at a ‘probation approved premises’ and surrounded by other drugs users.
He burgled the properties to pay for his drugs.
Judge Jonathan Gibson said: “You clearly thought about what you were going to do.
“You had a car and a screwdriver.”