Homeless burglar jailed for stealing trainers

Richard Hall admitted burglary

A burglar who stole £400 worth of trainers from a family's home has been jailed for a year and four months.

Richard Hall, 38 and homeless, took three pairs of shoes and a single trainer from a porch in Sunderland in June, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Hall, who the court heard had a long history of alcohol-related offending and shoplifting, admitted burglary.

The victims said they feared the burglar would return and, as well as losing the expensive shoes, had spent money on improving their security.

Prosecutor Kelly Clarke said Hall entered an unlocked porch at a home on Dunelm in Sunderland sometime overnight on 25 June.

He took two pair of Nike trainers, valued at a total of £257, a single trainer from a pair worth £100 and a pair of Vans valued at £50.

The single trainer was found hanging from a fence in a nearby park several days later by one of the victims, the court heard, while Hall was arrested several days later and made full admissions to police.

In a statement, one of the victims said she had trouble sleeping since the burglary and the family were left out of pocket.

In mitigation, Vic Laffey said Hall had a long history of alcohol issues and was drinking up to four bottles of wine a day at the time to "get him through the day" as he was homeless.

Recorder David Gordon said burglary was "bound to affect any householder's fundamental sense of safety and privacy" and they would "invariably feel violated knowing their personal space has been invaded".