A HOMELESS man who broke into a house in Birmingham Road, Redditch, as the 77-year-old occupant was asleep has been jailed for 18 months.
Marc Hounslow pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to the burglary, taking a Vauxhall Astra off the drive without authority and driving without insurance and a licence. He asked for stealing beer from an off-licence to be considered.
William Rickarby, prosecuting, said the burglary on April 1 was not discovered until the next morning. Entry had been through an insecure front door. The 27-year-old intruder had been traced through a fingerprint found on the door.
Hounslow had been before the courts 24 times for 54 offences. He had been released from prison only a few days before the latest offences were committed, said Richard Hull, mitigating. He had no stable accommodation and had been living in a hostel in Acocks Green.
Judge Michael Cullum said Hounslow had a disastrous list of previous convictions. The burglary must have been a frightening experience for the 77-year-old victim.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here