Heroin addict who burgled home of Leeds pensioner told to 'turn her life around'
She intended to sell his phone to feed her drug addiction
A heroin addict has been told to “turn her life around” after burgling the home of a Leeds pensioner.
Donna Gladwin was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday after she admitted to offences of burglary and failing to surrender.
Prosecutor Jade Edwards told the court how in March of this year the defendant had entered the home of a 75-year-old man in Leeds and made off with his Samsung Galaxy 12.
The 47-year-old, who has previous convictions for burglary and public nuisance offences, returned to the man’s home at 6pm that night and attempted to sell his phone back to him for £20.
She later returned a second time requesting £10 on this occasion but was apprehended by the man’s son and his wife, before police were called, the court heard.
Gladwin admitted taking the phone during a subsequent police interview, and said she had intended to sell it to feed her drug addiction.
After initially being released on conditional police bail, she failed to attend a previous court hearing and a warrant for her arrest was issued.
In a victim impact statement, the court heard how the incident had caused the 75-year-old “significant distress and alarm” and has left him feeling unsafe in his own home.
A probation officer told the court that Gladwin was homeless at the time of the incident and had long suffered from an addiction to heroin and spice, as a result of past traumas.
They added that the defendant is “deeply sorry” for the pain caused and is determined to rebuild her life.
She has used her time in jail to re-engage with a drug rehabilitation programme.
Defence counsel Craig Sutcliffe opted not to add anything further in mitigation.
Acknowledging Gladwin’s addiction struggles, Judge Ray Singh opted against an immediate custody order and instead sentenced her to two years in prison, suspended for two years, plus 20 activity rehabilitation days, 20 drug rehabilitation days.
She was also made subject to a five-year restraining order, preventing her from contacting the victim or from entering the street where he lives.
“Those who don’t turn their life around are those who choose not too - please grasp this opportunity,” Judge Singh added. “I am prepared to give you a chance, but I’m only giving you one or I will lock you up.”