Burglar caught helping friend raid home in Leeds

A couple were horrified to return home to find Ibrar Hussain and another man rifling through property at their home in Churwell.

Christopher Jackson, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court the incident happened at 10.30pm on September 14 last year.

The couple were walking home from as nearby railway station when the heard a burglar alarm going off.

Mr Jackson said the couple joked with each other about hoping it was not their home that had been targeted.

As they turned into their street, on New Village Way, they became concerned at seeing the hallway light on.

Hussain could been seen through a window going through a chest of drawers. Another man was also inside the property but could not be seen clearly.

The burglars ran from the property and disappeared down an alleyway. They had smashed patio doors to gain access to the property, causing £500 worth of damage.

Mr Jackson said the owners no longer felt safe in their home. Residents nearby contacted police after they saw two men acting suspiciously near a car.

They traced the vehicle to the Bradford area and Hussain was arrested as he fitted the description of one of the men in the burglary. He later pleaded guilty to burglary.

Mr Jackson said it appeared as though the property had been deliberately targeted as Hussain and his accomplice had travelled around 12 miles to the area. Franklin Zakers, mitigating, said Hussain, of Grantham Terrace, Bradford had worked as a service advisor for a Mercedes-Benz truck and van business since 2006.

Mr Zakers said: “It is hard to understand why a young man would allow himself to get involved in this situation.”

The barrister said Hussain had agreed to drive him frined to the Churwell area but did not realise it was for criminal purposes until they arrived. He said his client agreed to take part in the burglary as he was afraid of his friend.

Hussain was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and told to pay £500 compensation.

Judge Jonathan Rose said: “You will perform you punishment in the community where I hope you will wear your shame every day.”