Crown court told homeowner came face-to-face with burglar

Published on 22nd November 2007 in News

A BURGLAR on bail chillingly confronted a woman in her own home telling her: "I'm cold. Do you want to keep me warm?"

Terry Maguire (21), of Morley Street in Old Goole, has been jailed after admitting burgling a neighbour's home on August 18. He had been lurking outside it for two hours.

Mr Maguire appeared in custody at Hull Crown Court on Monday, where he pleaded guilty at the 11th hour to a charge of burglary before a scheduled trial. He had maintained his innocence for three months.

Crown barrister Christopher Smith told the court there was evidence Mr Maguire had been at the property two hours before - a door to the house in Morley Street had been forced open. Police were called, but they could not find anyone.

Mr Smith said: "There is evidence to suggest he remained at the house. There are some aggravating features to this offence. He had a disturbing conversation with the householder. She found him inside and asked him 'What are you doing?' He replied: 'I am playing with knives.' He had picked up a knife and appeared to have been drinking. Her boyfriend was upstairs at the time and Mr Maguire said: 'I'm cold. Do you want to warm me up?'."

Mr Maguire then fled the scene, but not before stealing a bottle of vodka, a baseball cap and a handbag with its contents. The court heard he was on bail at the time of the burglary and was also in breach of a court conditional discharge for a separate offence.

Mr Maguire was represented in court by barrister Richard Woolfall. There was no application for bail.

Judge Michael Mettyear adjourned sentence on Mr Maguire but remanded him in custody.