A Chester-le-Street attempted burglar tried to smash his way into a home using a plant pot.
Simon Clark had only been released from prison weeks earlier before going on to try and break into homes on a County Durham estate on February 14. When the 39-year-old was finally arrested, he claimed he had been in the area looking for his mate's lost dog and thought it may have been inside a shed.
Clark, of West Street, Chester-le-Street, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for five counts of attempted burglary. He pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.
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Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said all the properties Clark targeted were in "close proximity" to each other on the Roseberry Estate in County Durham.
"One witness who lives on the estate was looking out of his window and saw the defendant go to the house opposite and try the front door of the property", he said. "The same male then went to the next door.
"He tried two more doors without success and then went to the rear alleyway to another home."
Mr Dryden said at that property, the homeowner was in bed when she heard "two loud bangs" coming from her patio.
"She went downstairs and saw the defendant outside of the patio window", he said, "He was shouting at her in a loud and angry fashion."
The court heard Clark left "scratches and dints" on the patio window after he "tried to use a plant pot to force entry".
Clark then fled onto the main street where he was eventually arrested. In interview he said he had been in the area "looking for a dog which belonged to a friend of his", and claimed that he had tried the door handle of a shed because he thought the "dog might be in the shed".
Mr Dryden said Clark had a "bad record for dishonesty" and had 53 convictions for 121 offences, including previous convictions for burglary. He had only been released from prison on December 3, 2021.
Lewis Kerr, defending, said in February 2020, Clark was given a "lengthy" prison sentence for "inquisitive offending".
"When released in December he was making real positive steps to improve his life", he said. "He was living with his brother and moved away from the area and attempted to turn his life around."
Mr Kerr added that Clark had "significant alcohol problems" which was "directly linked to the commission of these offences".
Speaking to the judge via link from HMP Durham, Clark said he had been drug-free for the past two years and that he had turned his life around.
Sentencing Clark, Judge Ray Singh said: "You are, I'm afraid, somebody who has no regard for other people's personal possessions and property."
Clark was jailed for 40 months.
