Headingley burglar caught on camera by neighbour as he loaded victim's car with stolen goods

A career burglar was caught after he was photographed putting stolen property from two house break-ins into the back of a victim's car and driving off.
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Steven Stamp was jailed for three years over the raids at homes in Burley and Headingley in the early hours of July 18 this year.

Leeds Crown Crown heard Stamp climbed through a basement window at a house on Stanmore Avenue as the occupants were asleep inside,

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The 40-year-old took a Macbook, speakers, a bag and computer equipment from the house.

Burglar Steven Stamp was jailed for three years.Burglar Steven Stamp was jailed for three years.
Burglar Steven Stamp was jailed for three years.

Jessica Randall, prosecuting, said Stamp tried the door handle of a house on Estcourt Terrace but was unable to get inside.

He managed to break into a Ford Transit van parked on the street and stole a steel saw and other tools.

The defendant managed to get into a house on Langdale Avenue as the four people who lived their were all in bed.

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He stole two PlayStation consoles and keys to a Suzuki car parked outside.

A neighbour saw Stamp loading the stolen goods into the vehicle and took pictures as he drove away.

Police were contacted and police stopped the car near to his home in Armley later that morning.

Stamp crashed the car and tried to run off but was caught by officers.

The stolen items were still in the vehicle.

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Stamp, of Westerly Croft, Armley, pleaded guilty to two offences of burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, driving without insurance and driving without a licence.

He has 38 previous convictions for more than 100 offences including theft, burglary, handling stolen goods and assaulting an emergency worker.

Anthony Sugare, mitigating, said Stamp was ashamed of his offending and wished to apologise in person to the victims.

Mr Sugare said his client had been working hard to stay out of trouble before relapsing into offending.

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Jailing Stamp, Judge Simon Batiste said: "These were very serious matters.

"They are burglaries at night when the householders were present in the house.

"The courts always take a serious view when people commit offences of this type at night when people are sleeping.

"It is, in short, a gross violation.

"You are now 40 years of age. You are too old for this. Once you are released, try to get the help you need."