Burglar jailed for 18 months (From The Northern Echo)

Burglar jailed for 18 months

3:33pm Friday 10th February 2012 in Redcar News

A BURGLAR who struck while a family slept and stole valuables and a motorbike was yesterday jailed for 18 months.

Mark Watson, 22, was told by Judge George Moorhouse at Teesside Crown Court: "No doubt it will prey on their minds for months to come."

Watson had been drinking and taking drugs before he broke into the house in Sandringham Road, Redcar in the early hours of October 20.

He took a lap-top computer, mobile telephone, digital camera and bags containing cash, gloves, shoes and bank cards.

Hours later, he took the phone and computer to a shop and sold them for £190, Rachel Masters, prosecuting, told the court.

Watson, of Britannia Place, Redcar, admitted burglary, taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and a fraud charge.

Julian Gaskin, mitigating, told the court: "He understands that alcohol and tablets are what leads to this type of behaviour.

"He is hanging around with people using drugs and alcohol and gets involved with idiotic things such as this."

Watson had used his real name and address when he sold the electricals, and confessed when he was arrested.