Burglar makes himself at home

Published on 22nd March 2007 in News

OUTRAGEOUS villain Jason Sutcliffe had the audacity to tell his burglary victim he was "house-sitting" after being caught red-handed in a Goole flat.

Mr Sutcliffe (29), a heroin addict with a long record, used the flat as his own while its owner worked away, only to be taken by surprise when he returned, Hull Crown Court heard.

The flat owner arrived at his home in Eastgate with his 17-year-old son unexpectedly at 1.30 in the morning. After putting his key in the front door he opened it to find Mr Sutcliffe sitting in his living room armchair.

"Both men were somewhat surprised to see each other at that time," said Crown barrister Michael Wriggleswoth. "The flat owner was concerned to find Sutcliffe in his flat. He asked him what he was doing there. Sutcliffe said he was concerned about the flat being broken into. He said he was worried about it after finding it open."

"The owner did not make much of that answer. After asking him to leave he checked his flat and found a rifle with telescopic sight valued at £300 had been taken. He called the police."

Mr Wrigglesworth said Mr Sutcliffe, also of Eastgate in Goole, continued with his fake house-sitting story to the police - even after being told his footprint was found on the front door. He finally pleaded guilty to a single charge of burglary before his trial and appeared for sentence at Hull Crown Court last Friday.

Mr Wriggleswoth said Mr Sutcliffe had no previous convictions for burglary, but a long police record including possession of class A drugs and shoplifting – his last conviction being in November last year.

Defence solicitor Richard Thompson admitted Mr Sutcliffe's pre-sentence report showed the classic offending of a heroin addict.

Sentencing Recorder Jonathan Rose ordered Mr Sutcliffe to stand as he told him: "Heroin addiction is hard on a man. These courts recognise that. But it is not justification for committing dishonesty. Here you have moved up a league. You have admitted burgling someone's home - whereas you had been shoplifting before.

"You would have no argument if I were to give you 18 months in prison. I want you to remember 18 months because that is what you will get if you breach the order I am going to give you."

He ordered that Mr Sutcliffe should be given a 12-month community order, with a supervision requirement and to attend a drug-rehabilitation programme.

He was allowed to walk free from court but not before Recorder Rose reminded him that, if he were to fail, he would reserve the case and give him 18 months on top of the sentence for any other offence he might commit.