Thief caught red-handed by homeowner (From York Press)

Thief caught red-handed by homeowner

9:08am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News By Jennifer Bell, jennifer.bell@thepress.co.uk

A PROLIFIC burglar who was caught sneaking into a Selby home to steal cash and cigarettes has been jailed for nearly two-and-a-half years.

Heroin-addict Trevor Lee Howson had broken into a home on Brook Street, in Selby, on October 16 last year, York Crown Court heard.

James Byatt, prosecuting, told the court that Howson, 40, had entered through an unlocked back door at about 9.40pm and snatched loose change and cigarettes left on a kitchen counter and a wallet.

Mr Byatt told the court the homeowner had spotted Howson entering his house and followed him out to the street and demanded the burglar hand back the cash and cigarettes.

Howson, of New Lane, Selby, handed over the goods, but kept the wallet, which the homeowner had not realised had also been stolen. Later that night, the court heard how Howson was charged with a separate incident of theft after police spotted him on a stolen bike.

The court heard that Howson, who has a 17-year heroin addiction, had been committing crimes since he was 13-years-old, including a number of house break-ins, with the latest making him a “four-strike burglar”.

Sentencing Howson, who had previously pleaded guilty to burglary, Judge Scott Wolstenholme said: “You are a 40-year-old man who has been addicted to heroin for 17 years which may have explained your recent burglaries.

“You went into someone’s home as the man was sitting there and you helped yourself.

“My hands are tied There are government guidelines for three burglaries and this is your fourth. This was a spur of the moment offence. I hope you try and learn your lesson this time while you are inside.”

Howson was jailed for two years and 147 days.