A YOUNG man who tried to steal from a library charity box and a veterans’ club terrorised a recently widowed pensioner by breaking into her bungalow.

Dale Kay, whose criminal record of 48 previous convictions for 85 offences includes breaking into Stanley library and trying to steal from a charity collection tin and trying to break into the County Durham town’s RAF Association Club, turned to crime on this occasion in an attempt to repay a loan from his grandfather, Durham Crown Court heard.

Between 2pm and 3pm on April 13, while intoxicated, he broke into the bungalow of a 71-year-old newly widowed pensioner in Stanley through a back window.

He did not steal anything and immediately regretted his actions, the court was told.

But the woman, who was out at the time, was left jumpy and so distressed she has decided to sell the family home and move.

In a statement read to the court, she said she checks the windows like a ritual every morning, thinks about the break-in every time she goes out, keeps her windows closed at all times and has had extra window locks installed.

She still feels sad about the crime and never wants to see Kay, prosecutor Penny Bottomley said.

Police arrested Kay, of Keir Hardie Avenue, Stanley, based on forensic evidence. Although he made no reply in interview, he admitted the offence early in the court process.

The court heard that the 22-year-old had been involved with drugs and alcohol since he was 14 and had periods of homelessness, but had shown some signs of remorse and wanted to apologise to his victim.

Judge Christopher Prince said Kay had a very extensive record for someone of his age and had “quite cynically” decided to be a criminal, rather than work or claim benefits.

The break-in had had a “grave and profound” impact on the woman’s life, the judge added.

Kay, who wept during the hearing as he appeared via a video link from Durham Prison, was sentence to 16 months in a Young Offenders’ Institution.