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Leeds crook who tricked elderly duo sent to jail
A prolific burglar who was arrested after conning his way into the home of a elderly couple and stole a laptop has been jailed.
Craig Burnell, 32, was jailed for three years and nine months yesterday after pleading guilty to burglary and admitting 26 similar offences.
Leeds Crown Court heard Burnell took a 17-year-old boy with him to target the couple in their bungalow in Beeston on November 7 last year.
He claimed to be the window cleaner and told them they owed him money before being allowed into the house. The court heard the elderly man had a laptop computer but the was unable to get it working and Burnell offered to take it away to fix it for him.
Police were called when he failed to return it. Officers discovered CCTV footage of Burnell carrying the laptop to a shop where he sold it for £90. His picture was circulated and he was arrested when an officer recognised him.
Burnell, of Leasowe Road, Hunslet, pleaded guilty to the offence and gave police details of 26 other offences which he asked the court to take into account. Some included thefts and burglaries when Burnell claimed to be a window cleaner or said he was selling tobacco.
The court heard he has 94 previous convictions and had served time in jail for robbery and burglary. Andrew Foley, for Burnell, said his client had written to his latest victims expressing his remorse.
Mr Foley said Burnell wanted to “clear up” the offences he had committed and wanted to turn his back on crime. He said he had been making good progress in prison and a probation service report into his behaviour was favourable.
Jailing him, judge Geoffrey Marson said: “It would have been very distressing for the elderly gentleman to be tricked in such a way.”
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
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