Wakefield flasher who burgled his housemate is returned to prison

Shaun Smith was caught red-handed by his victim after he entered his room at the property in Wakefield and stole cannabis, cash and a pair of trainers. Leeds Crown Court heard Smith has served a prison sentence for an offence of exposure. He committed the burglary after being placed in shared housing on First Avenue, Newton Hill, when he was released from custody. Dave Mackay, prosecuting, said residents at the property had their own self-contained rooms. Smith used a key to let himself into the victim's room after he left to go shopping in Wakefield city centre. The court heard Smith stole cannabis, a pair of trainers and loose change. But he was spotted outside the room when the victim returned home to get a jumper. Mr Mackay said the victim went into his room and noticed items were missing. He then approached Smith and had "frank words" with him. The prosecutor said the cannabis and the money were returned but the victim has still not had his trainers returned to him. Smith then made an application for emergency accommodation of February 6 this year but failed to declare his conviction for a sexual offence. He was moved to the Bank House hotel , on Bank Street in Wakefield city centre. Smith was required to notify police if he changed his address but failed to do. He was arrested after the burglary was reported to police and it was realised he was in breach of a sex offender notification requirement. The 52-year-old pleaded guilty to burglary and failing to comply with a sex offender notification requirement. He has previous convictions for burglary, theft, exposure and possession of cannabis. Stephen Swann, mitigating, said Smith had medical problems and had been diagnosed as suffering from depression and bipolar disorder He said: "The defendant's motivation appears to have been to see what he could find in the adjoining bedroom, "He was warned off from that accommodation and went to look for further housing. "He left the address because he felt unsafe." Smith was jailed for nine months. Sentencing Smith, Judge Mushtaq Khokhar said: "Even though this complainant only had one room, it does not prevent it from being a dwelling house as far as he is concerned. "You broke in by using your own key to steal minor items - £5 in coins, tobacco and trainers. He is still missing his trainers." Smith, who appeared in court via a video link from Armley jail, interrupted the judge as he imposed the sentence, saying: "Listen guv, all I did was nick a bit of cannabis. I didn't nick owt else."