A 13-year-old boy chased and grabbed a burglar who entered his Bristol home and was surprised when the offender turned out to be a woman.
The boy's mum screamed when she discovered what appeared to be a young man with cropped hair in her kitchen, who said they were "looking for Emily". When the person fled the teenage boy gave chase, apprehended them and exclaimed: "It's a girl, I got her!"
It was one of a series of raids Dawn Reynolds made on Bristol homes in the summers of 2021 and 2022, Bristol Crown Court heard. The 41-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to five house break-ins, burglary of a home with intent to steal, theft and fraud by false representation.
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Judge Julian Lambert was told she was suffering from a mental health disorder. He handed her a Hospital Order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983, to allow her to have appropriate hospital treatment.
The judge told the court: "Release will require high assurance there will not be a relapse and the offender will not offend further. He told Reynolds: "Do what the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals ask."
Emma Martin, prosecuting, said Reynolds entered a home in Bell Hill, Stapleton, and stole a handbag, wallet, purse and phone. She was identified from her fingerprints on a window.
Reynolds also plundered items from a home in Clay Bottom, the court heard. In that raid car keys were taken, a car was moved "a few feet", and a stolen bank card was used in a £9.99 transaction for Netflix.
Mrs Martin said Reynolds pilfered trainers from the porch of a home in Rose Green Road, Bristol, and was apprehended wearing them by the householders. The owner of the trainers stated: "I feel very sad for this female. I think she needs help, I don't have any bad feeling."
Reynolds also stole a Nintendo Switch game console, drill and Olympus camera from a home in Southville. After that raid the householder tracked his camera down to a Cash Converters shop and Reynolds was identified on CCTV.
The court heard Reynolds raided a home in Oakleigh Avenue, Bristol, where her DNA was found on a carton of drink. Staff at the Tobacco Factory later discovered Reynolds had taken two tip jars from the premises, challenged her, and she told them she was after a bus fare before returning them.
It was at a home in Stanley Park Road, Kingswood, where Reynolds was disturbed and thought to be a young man. She was chased and caught by a 13-year-old boy and waited for police with the householders, telling them she was not feeling very well.
Tabitha Macfarlane asked that her client be spared the case opening to avoid Reynolds being distressed, which the judge acceded to. Miss Macfarlane said doctors did not think a restriction order was appropriate in the case.
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