Care home burglar found hiding in woman's bathroom

Mark Ambler was jailed for three years and nine months

A burglar who broke into the room of an elderly woman with dementia at a care home in West Yorkshire has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Mark Ambler, 42, was discovered hiding in the resident's bathroom after tripping a movement sensor in her room in the Armley area of Leeds.

West Yorkshire Police said the woman did not wake during the incident on 6 September and staff were able to keep Ambler at the care home until police arrived.

Ambler of Stonecliffe Gardens, Leeds, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to burglary and possession of a Class A drug.

Det Insp Vicky Vessey described him as “a prolific offender”.

“Fortunately, the victim was not disturbed by him as she slept, and thanks to the vigilance of the staff, he was caught and detained," she said.

“We know this was a distressing incident for the victim’s family and for staff at the home.

“We hope they can take some comfort from knowing Ambler is now safely behind bars.”

Police discovered Ambler had used wire cutters to cut a security band on the ground floor window to get in to the room.

When he was later searched while in police custody, he was found in possession of crack cocaine.

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