A BURGLAR has been jailed after being caught red-handed raiding an elderly man’s home while he slept on the sofa. 

Leanne Bexfield broke into the property on Peel Street, in Darlington, while the occupant was asleep on the sofa with the TV on loud. 

Detective Sergeant Liam Robertson, from Darlington Volume Crime Team, was in the area carrying out enquiries in relation to a separate investigation when he noticed the door ajar. 

Sensing something wasn’t right, DS Robertson went to check on the elderly occupant, where he found Bexfield going through the victim’s box room, with his jewellery in her pocket.

The 33-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary, which she initially denied, claiming she was there legitimately and had found the jewellery outside the address.

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However, she later pleaded guilty to the offence, and admitted a further charge of theft in relation to an incident in which she entered another house having been mistaken for a care worker and stole a laptop.

Bexfield appeared at Teesside Crown Court last week where she was jailed for 18 months.

DS Robertson said: “By committing these offences against elderly and vulnerable people, Bexfield has shown she has absolutely no consideration for anyone other than herself.

“I am pleased that she is now behind bars and unable to cause harm to any other vulnerable members of our community.”

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