Mum and three children left terrified by drug-crazed burglar
Dale Colley has been jailed after squeezing through an open window at a home in Horsea Road, Hilsea, and stealing an NHS badge, £250 Mothercare voucher, driving licence and other items.
Colley of Derby Road, North End, rifled through coats in the hallway before the householder, a mother-of-three, shouted out in terror.
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Hide AdThe 37-year-old, who was said at Portsmouth Crown Court to be on a bender, made off with a debit card.
Tom Wright, prosecuting, said Colley left a fingerprint and was soon arrested.
He told police he had no memory of the incident but then admitted to it.
‘He had, as he put it, been on a two-day bender on drink and drugs,’ Mr Wright said.
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Hide AdThe court heard he had previous convictions for burglary, meaning he was subject to a three-year minimum sentence, less credit for pleading guilty to the burglary committed on September 5.
Recorder Anne Arnold jailed the crack cocaine addict for 876 days – 127 weeks.
The judge said: ‘Principally it was a night-time burglary committed when the householder and her three children were at home.
‘Indeed, she was disturbed and put in considerable fear asking for the assistance of a neighbour to check if anyone was still in the premises.’
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Hide AdReading from the victim’s statement, the prosecutor told the court: ‘Since the incident I have been concerned and scared.’
Sam Barker, mitigating, said Colley was doing well on remand at HMP Lewes and stayed out of troubles at the jail, earning a job there.
Mr Barker added: ‘Some solace can be taken by the victim of this – it wasn’t targeted at all, the front window was left slightly open.
‘Mr Colley actually thought the property was abandoned, that nobody was in and actually thought it was a building site – he was seeking power tools.’
Mr Barker said Colley had sincere remorse and shame that he had relapsed after being clean from drugs.