Burglar caught stealing fruit from victim's home

Fay Oliver admitted burglary and was sent to prison

A woman who was caught stealing fruit from a kitchen lied to her victim that she had fled an abusive boyfriend, a court has heard.

Fay Oliver, 38, was found clutching two apples and oranges in a house she had snuck into in March, Teesside Crown Court was told.

The homeowner initially tried to offer her shelter, as she claimed her partner was trying to stab her, before he realised she was an intruder intent on stealing from him.

Oliver, of Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, who had almost 70 offences on her "terrible" criminal record, admitted burglary and was jailed for one year and seven months.

The victim was at property on 8 March when he heard a noise from his kitchen at about 11:30 GMT, prosecutor Kathryn Wetherley said.

He went in and found Oliver, who he did not know, who told him she was hiding from her boyfriend.

The man initially offered to shelter her while he called police. However, he soon realised she was holding items taken from his home, including cleaning products and a haul of fruit, the court heard.

'Furious at violation'

The victim attempted to detain Oliver but she fled, ripping her trousers as she scaled a garden gate, Ms Wetherley said.

Police were called and she was arrested close to the house an hour later, the court heard.

Oliver, of Kennedy Gardens, told officers she was "so embarrassed" and it was "all for two oranges and apples", the court heard.

CCTV footage showed she had been scouting the house out about half an hour before she was discovered, climbing gates and hiding behind bins before eventually entering through an unlocked door.

In statements read to the court, the homeowner and his wife said they were "furious" at having their home "violated", and they feared Oliver returning.

Oliver was subject to a suspended prison sentence at the time of the burglary having been jailed in December for 18 weeks, suspended for a year, for offences including shoplifting, drug possession and assaulting an emergency worker.

Judge Geoffrey Marson KC said Oliver had a "terrible" record with her previous 67 offences, including dishonesty and violent crimes.

He said it was clear the burglary had caused the couple a "great deal of upset" and they spoke of being "uncomfortable" having doors and windows unlocked.

"No household should be in that position," the judge said.

Oliver was jailed for one year and four months for the burglary and three months for breaching the suspended prison sentence.