A horrified family watched a burglar raid an elderly loved one's home live on her doorbell cam as she lay sleeping.
Thief John Donakey peered through the window of the property and seeing the occupant asleep crept inside, before searching through the drawers.
The Ring footage alerted the victim's family to suspicious movement and they quickly dialled 999 - but police were unable to find the 57-year-old culprit on arrival.
The video shows Donakey entering the home in Penrith, Cumbria, before opening a drawer and then putting on black gloves.
He then searches through more drawers, as well as a bag and purse.
Police returned to the scene the following day and spoke to neighbours who said they seen an unusual vehicle at the time of the burglary.
Detectives then spotted the vehicle and saw Donakey getting out before wandering around the estate.
He matched the description given to them and arrested him.
The thief, of St Helens, Merseyside, was yesterday (September 22) sentenced for nine counts of burglary and one offence of going equipped for theft.
This related to incidents between 2018 and June this year.
He has been jailed for four years in prison and given a three year driving ban.
Detective Constable Karen Minnion said: “Donakey is a prolific burglar who had no issue with entering properties with no regards for the occupants and made excuses for his presence if disturbed.
"Following his arrest in June 2022 we were able to match his DNA to another burglary in 2020.
"We also looked at historical burglaries with similar circumstances from 2018 in Kendal and the victims were able to identify Donakey as the person who had entered their homes.”
In October 2020, Donakey was disturbed inside a property in Penrith after the occupant heard noises from upstairs.
The victim went upstairs to check what the noise was and noticed shadows in the bedroom before Donakey pushed the door open, pushing and shoving past the victim before fleeing the scene.
In July 2018, Donakey was disturbed twice inside the same property and within another property in Kendal.
He made excuses each time he was disturbed on one occasion claiming to have been looking for someone before he fled the property.
DC Minnion continued “Everyone should feel safe in their own home, if you have experienced something like this, please report it to us, we take these offences extremely seriously.
"I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the vigilance of communities who have supported this investigation having sighted Donakey in the area before the incidents.
"Today’s sentencing shows that those who commit such offences will be found and brought to justice.”
