A CANCER sufferer was left “sickened” after a burglar raided her home while she was in bed upstairs.

Mark Fada broke into the 76-year-old woman’s South Shields home in the early hours of September 23, 2019.

He stole cash from her purse and bank cards which he used fraudulently on three occasions before the victim realised what had happened.

Two weeks later, he committed a second burglary in the town when took the keys to a Nissan Juke and personal belongings. He was also found by police to be in possession of three iPads, stolen from an Evans Halshaw garage, in Sunderland.

Fada, 25, of Lonsdale Court, South Shields, admitted two counts of burglary, three counts of fraud, handling stolen goods and criminal damage at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday.

He was jailed for three years and three months.

Detective Sergeant Chris Raper-Smith, of Northumbria Police’s southern burglary team, said: “Mark Fada is a serial criminal who left his victims appalled and frightened as a result of his selfish criminality.

“He crept into the home of an elderly woman who is suffering from cancer and stole money and bank cards from her purse – his behaviour is disgraceful.

“He is responsible for a number of unrelated offences across Sunderland and South Tyneside during a one-man crime spree, and I am pleased that the severity of his actions have been recognised with this custodial sentence.

“Fada is still a young man and I sincerely hope he takes this time in prison to think carefully about his actions and the long-lasting consequences they have on those in his community.

“We will continue to show a zero-tolerance approach towards burglars who cause misery to their victims and wider communities, and will continue to do all we can to put offenders before the courts.”

In a statement prepared for court, Fada’s 76-year-old victim said she was terrified, felt sick that a stranger had been in her home and had considered moving into sheltered accommodation.

She said: “I no longer feel safe in my home.

"I am suffering from cancer and have recently had a hip replacement – so am in poor health. This is the last thing I need.

“I feel sick at the thought of a stranger entering my property.”

Newcastle Crown Court heard drugs were at the heart of Fada’s offending spree between September and October last year.

Det Sgt Raper-Smith has reminded members of the public to always take an extra second to ensure their doors and windows are locked, and any valuables kept out of sight.

He said: “With the summer days and lighter nights, quite often opportunistic thieves will go door to door hoping to find one that is open and an easy win. However, when they realise a door is locked, they will just move on to the next street.

“Our officers will continue to patrol the streets and take action against thieves and burglars. If you see anybody acting suspiciously in your area, please pick up the phone – and make sure you take those extra small steps that can help deter offenders.”