Burglar targeted West Yorkshire home of vulnerable victim in self-isolation with health condition

Lee Smith carried out the offence during a drink and drug-fuelled crime spree in the Castleford area on April 6.

Leeds Crown Court heard the vulnerable victim had been discharged from hospital days before lockdown so he could isolate at home.

Carmel Pearson, prosecuting, said the man heard a noise coming the side of his home on Lumley Street and saw Smith on the driveway.

The man went outside to confront the defendant who claimed he was looking for a cat.

Smith was told to leave and the victim checked CCTV camera footage from his property.

The footage showed Smith entering a utility room at the side of the house.

He had searched the room but nothing was taken from the property.

Miss Pearson said the incident was particularly frightening for the victim as he feared Smith may have brought the coronavirus into his home.

Smith targeted another home nearby later that morning.

The home owner looked out of his window and saw tools from his van on the driveway.

He went outside to find Smith in the back of the vehicle.

The defendant smelt of alcohol and appeared to be under the influence of drink and drugs.

There was a confrontation between the two men and Smith refused to get out of the van.

The victim backed away as he feared for the safety of his wife and child.

Smith left the area but committed another burglary at the garage of a house around a mile away.

The man who lived at the address saw Smith coming out of the garage with a child's bike.

The victim took hold of Smith and marched him away from the property before contacting police.

Smith was then seen trying to get into a car a few streets away but left after a seeing that there was a 16-year-old girl in the vehicle.

Police officers traced Smith to some fields.

He threatened to spit at the officers and kicked one of them as he was detained.

Smith, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two offences of burglary, theft, assaulting an emergency worker and interfering with a vehicle.

Andrew Stranex, mitigating, said Smith pleaded guilty to the offences at an early stage.

Smith was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said the offences were aggravated by the fact that they were committed during lockdown.