Door-handle-trying opportunistic burglar jailed for Leeds student-home break-ins
Ageing thief let himself into two homes in Leeds’ student area, but was caught red-handed
An opportunistic ageing burglar who stole games consoles from student homes in Leeds has been jailed.
Homeless Adrian Grey, who has previous convictions for break-ins, admitted entering two homes in the space of three nights in the Hyde Park area.
The 60-year-old had been trying door handles at properties until he found two that were unlocked, prosecutor Ben Sayers told Leeds Crown Court.
He entered a house on St John Street on the night of November 12, taking an Xbox, a Nintendo Switch, a mobile phone and a rucksack.
He then targeted a second home in the area on November 14, but in this instance was caught and detained by the occupants until police arrived.
Footage from Cash Converters showed him selling the loot from the first burglary.
Grey, who has more than 130 offences on his record sheet, admitted two counts of dwelling burglary.
He appeared in court over a video link from HMP Leeds. Due to his previous burglary convictions, he is a “third-strike” offender, meaning he is subject to the minimum three-year jail term.
Mitigating, James Holding said Grey had been sleeping rough at the time and taking drugs, although he remained adamant he was not addicted.
He said he had “great shame” for the burglaries and simply wanted to be arrested to break the cycle of his predicament, saying that was the reason why he “waited patiently” for the police after being caught by the residents.
Mr Holding said it had been some years since his last burglary and that he was “determined to address his issues”.
But Judge Richard Gioserano said there were no exceptional circumstances to avoid the three-strike rule.
With his guilty plea, his three-year minimum sentence was reduced to 876 days - around 29 months.