A burglar who broke into a home and stole a pair of antique binoculars has been jailed after he was captured trying to buy cigarettes.
Dwayne Myers burgled a house on June 17 this year and left the premises littered with rubbish after ripping open bags and rummaging through belongings. The 35-year-old stole personal belongings as well as a Halifax bank card, but was caught on CCTV trying to use it to buy a pack of cigarettes from a local shop.
Myers, of George Street, Shildon, County Durham, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Friday, via link from HMP Hull, to be sentenced for burglary and fraud. He pleaded guilty to the charges at the hearing.
Read more: Bishop Auckland's Tanya Tucker ordered to pay back £1 after £80,000 Unison and NHS fraud
Kate Barnes, prosecuting, said the victim of the burglary had returned to his home on Co-Operative Street, Shildon, to find it had been ransacked. She said: "A number of black bags had been ripped open and rubbish scattered about. Two TVs that had been upstairs were found at the bottom of the stairs. Money was missing from a bedside table and a bank card. Bags had been opened upstairs and contents strewn around. A pair of antique binoculars were also stolen."
Later that day, the victim received a notification from his banking app that an attempt had been made at a Lifestyle Express store to use his stolen card but had been declined. CCTV from the store showed Myers trying to buy cigarettes with the card and his finger prints were also found in the victim's home. In a victim statement, the homeowner said the burglar left him "shocked" and "scared to return to his own home". The court heard Myers had 32 previous convictions for 60 offences, mostly for "inquisitive offending" and "multiple thefts".
Mark Styles, defending, said Myers was "apologetic for his behaviour" and had been living a "chaotic lifestyle". He said: "He has been the subject of a variety of court orders and has struggled previously with drug addiction. He wants to make a change to his lifestyle and has got himself a trusted job as a cleaner in prison." Mr Styles added: "At the time of the offence he was struggling with his addictions and was of no fixed address and believed no one lived in the premises at the time."
Recorder Ian Mullarkey jailed Myers for 876 days.
Read next:
- Residents fear proposed quarry could 'change character' of historic Kirkwhelpington in Northumberland
- North Shields Metro bridge dated back to 1863 - watch drone film of the new one being installed
- The comforting Joelinton option for Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe after frustrating transfer chase
- Time is running out to apply for £150 council tax rebate
- Newcastle Quayside revamp made permanent after bus lane turned into pedestrian plaza and event space
