A burglar who tried doors to people's homes and stole car keys during a night time spree has been jailed.
Jack Riddell wandered around neighbouring Spennymoor streets on the night of November 25 this year and attempted to enter people's houses. The 22-year-old entered one home and stole keys before trying the doors of other premises before he was finally arrested.
Riddell, of Sledmore Drive, Spennymoor, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Thursday via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for four counts of attempted burglary, burglary with intent to steal, and dwelling burglary and theft. He had pleaded guilty to the charges at a previous hearing.
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Matthew Hopkins, prosecuting, said shortly before 10.30pm, Riddell attempted to burgle a home as a couple watched TV, but walked off after being unable to enter. He then tried another home by trying to "barge a door open with his shoulder", but fled after being unable to enter due to a chain lock on the door.
Riddell then went to a family home as children slept, but the occupant received a notification on his phone after CCTV was triggered. Riddell was seen in the garden but soon left.
The next house Riddell targeted, he managed to enter while a woman was at home. Mr Hopkins said: "The woman was at home when she heard the front door open and saw a man inside her home walking out of the front door. She went after him but he had ran out of sight."
Riddell then went to a home at nearby Witton Drive at around 11.30pm, Mr Hopkins said: "A man was at home when he heard a noise like a door opening. He looked at his driveway and saw the headlights on his Hyundai illuminated.
"The keys that had been in the porch were missing, along with his house keys and keys to a Vauxhall van. He had left the front door unlocked." The court heard that the Hyundai was not stolen and the stolen keys were later recovered.
Riddell, who had 12 previous convictions for 27 offences, then ventured over to Warwick Close where he tried the door to a home and then a garage, but was unable to enter both. He was later arrested after initially being pepper-sprayed by officers after resisting. Stolen car keys and gloves were also found on him.
Chris Morrison, defending said: "He wishes to say to the victims and the court that he is sorry. He has shown expressions of remorse which are palpable and genuine. He has shown deep remorse and repentance."
Mr Morrison said there is "some good" in Riddell and that the offences committed were during a "limited spree". He added that during time in prison, Riddell had started attending Catholic mass and was reading self-improvement works.
Sentencing Riddell, Recorder Edward Legard said he was "capable of worthwhile and honest endeavour" before jailing him for 16 months.
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