'I should be punished': Leeds burglar gives public apology for breaking into pensioner's flat while he was at pub

Paul Waugh read a letter of apology saying her was deeply ashamed of his actions.

Waugh, of Cottingley Heights, Cottingley, Leeds, targeted the victim who lived near his late mother's home in Knottingley.

A resident in the street called police after he saw someone climbing in through the bathroom of the first floor flat.

Ashleigh Metcale, prosecuting, said the neighbour saw the burglar leaving with property including cash tins.

The victim returned home at 10.30pm, on November 17, 2018, to find police at his home.

He confirmed that cash and a mobile phone were missing from the flat.

A glove was found in the property which contained Waugh's DNA.

Waugh claimed to have gone inside the house after he heard smashing glass.

Waugh, who appeared in court via a video link from Armley jail, pleaded guilty to burglary.

He has 47 previous convictions but none for burglary.

His convictions are mainly for shoplifting and breaching court orders.

Stephen Welford, mitigating, said Waugh committed the offence to fund his drug addiction.

He said: "He knew the complainant would be at the pub and took advantage of that."

Waugh read a letter of apology to the court.

He said: "I deeply regret and feel remorse and ashamed of a crime I committed and should be punished.

"This is the first offence of its kind I have committed.

"I feel that my life at the time was in a very dark place.

"It was due to my drug addiction and my mother's death two weeks before this crime."

The defendant said had been on a drug detox programme in custody.

Waugh was given a seven-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to complete a 22-day rehabilitation programme.

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