Chilling footage of burglary in progress as pensioner sleeps

CHILLING FOOTAGE has been released showing a burglar standing over a sleeping pensioner as he raids her home.

The footage captured Patrick Reid, 51, looming over Margaret Woodward as she naps in an armchair in front of the television at her home in Long Eaton, Derbyshire.

Mrs Woodward, 68, was subjected to five burglaries on her home in a year, and said she was left feeling terrified.

She told the Daily Mail: “It was very frightening to wake up knowing there was somebody in my house, but I was determined not to let him get away.”

Brazen Reid, wearing a blue top with the hood up and a rucksack on his back, was caught on film during the April incident after police installed cameras in Mrs Woodward’s home to catch the culprit.

He is seen tip-toeing around the dozing pensioner, often just inches from her face, and rifling through her handbag.

In the last raid Mrs Woodward was woken when Reid set off an alarm and the brave pensioner chased him away with her walking stick.

Mrs Woodward, who suffers from severe arthritis in both knees, told the newspaper she wanted to break his kneecaps so he could not escape.

“I thought I’d be able to get him but he ran into my bedroom, jumped on to the bed and went straight out of the window like a gymnast tackling a hobby horse,” she said.

She was awarded £1,500 for her pluck from the High Sheriff’s fund, Derbyshire Police said.

Reid was later jailed for four years and eight months for two burglaries.

Pictures: PA. Police released these CCTV images of burglar Patrick Reid tip-toeing around the dozing Mrs Woodward.