Burglar targeted Wakefield city centre flat days after being released from prison on licence

Paul Thomason was handed a sentence of two years and four months over the offence committed at the property on Andrew Street on August 1 this year.

Leeds Crown Court heard Thomason climbed through a ground floor kitchen window while the couple who lived there were at the gym.

Thomason was inside the flat for just one minute when the couple returned home at 8pm.

The 38-year-old climbed back out through the window when a light went on inside the flat and left empty-handed.

The couple did not realise they had been burgled until the following day and reported the incident to police.

A CCTV still image of Thomason near to the flat was obtained and he was identified by an officer at a police briefing.

Thomason was arrested on August 7 wearing the same clothing from the CCTV image.

Jessica Randell, prosecuting, said Thomason was interviewed by officers but denied the offence.

He claimed that forensic evidence would prove his innocence but later pleaded guilty to burglary.

The court heard Thomason has 92 convictions for over 200 offences.

He was seven previous convictions for house burglary.

Thomason was jailed for six month for burglary in April this year and was out of prison on licence at the time of his latest offence.

Kate Bisset, mitigating, said: "The defendant did the only thing he can do and that is enter a guilty plea."

Ms Bisset said Thomason could barely remember committing the offence as he had lapsed into abusing drugs.

She added: "He understands that he's getting too old for this offending."

Sentencing Thomason, Judge Penelope Belcher said: "It is by pure luck there was no confrontation with the owners."