Burglar crept into Harry Sotnick House care home residents' bedrooms in bid to steal

Christopher Carter was spotted in a ground floor room at Harry Sotnick House in Cranleigh Avenue, Buckland, after using a garden fork to break in via the bar area.

Carers spotted the 36-year-old in the room at around 5.30am but thought he was a visiting relative, prosecutor Dawn Hyland said.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard at around 7am Carter, of Waverley Road, Southsea, was spotted again in another room.

Workers surrounded him and one of them, Nana Boadi, outstretched his arms to stop drug addict Carter from leaving.

Carter tried to claim he was a relative and said: ‘I’m here to see my nan.’

But he failed to provide her name and instead fled, knocking the care worker as he went.

As reported, the care home is currently dealing with the aftermath of nine residents dying of coronavirus-linked deaths.

A garden fork normally used by staff was found inside, and was used by Carter to get into the building.

Carter, who has a string of previous convictions, ended up empty-handed despite taking a holdall with him in his attempts to steal from frail residents.

The pushed care was left ‘a bit frightened’ and added: ‘I don’t expect anything like that in a care home primarily for old people at that time in the morning.’

Judge Timothy Mousley QC said Carter was facing an immediate jail term. But he adjourned the sentencing so probation can see if addict Carter can continue with a drug-rehabilitation requirement.

Carter was remanded in jail until the week of June 8.

The court heard he is only a month into a drug rehabilitation scheme. The burglary dates back to October 7 last year.

The defendant admitted burglary and common assault over videolink at court on Monday.

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