A burglar who left a trail of destruction in his wake when he smashed his way into a woman’s house believing it was his childhood home has been locked up.

Stephen Young knocked over a can of paint before traipsing the red liquid throughout the house as he smashed up a wardrobe and chandelier.

The 41-year-old was caught on CCTV kicking in the rear gate of the property before he smashed a window to gain access before being filmed minutes later leaving the address with a number of stolen items.

Christopher Bevan, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that the burglary had had a devastating impact on the victim and she has struggled to return to her home on Colwyn Road, Hartlepool, since she discovered it ransacked.

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He said: “She found red paint smudged on several items and on clothing. Items were stolen from the house, including a suitcase, alcohol, a kettle, a punnet of grapes and a door key.”

When Young was arrested three days later at his home where he still had clothes with the same red paint on them.

The court heard how he burgled the property at around 8.30am on April 8, only months after coming out of prison for another house burglary.

Young, of Derby Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to a single charge of burglary after causing £1,000 worth of damage.

Stephen Constantine, in mitigation, said his client had smashed his way into the home while he was heavily intoxicated believing it was still his childhood home where he maintains he suffered trauma.

He said: “He’s very sorry for the hurt and harm that he’s caused.

"It wasn’t targeted.”

Recorder Thomas Moran locked Young up for 18 months after hearing that the defendant had been recalled on licence following the burglary.

“This has had a very serious effect on the woman, she has been left anxious and depressed,” he said. “She says she no longer feels safe in her own home.”

Young was also given a five-year restraining order to keep out of Colwyn Road.

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