Leeds burglar punched dad in face during raid at family home in Beeston

William Field was locked up for three years and ten months over the burglary at the house on Cambrian Terrace, Beeston, on November 5 this year.

Leeds Crown Court heard Field targeted the property shortly after the homeowner left his partner and their two children inside the house while he went to a shop.

Bashir Ahmed, prosecuting, said the man returned to find Field in the hallway searching through the pockets of a coat that was hanging over a banister.

The man challenged Field and demanded to know what he was doing but the defendant seemed "oblivious" and continued to search through the coat.

The man followed Field outside and managed to detain him while police arrived.

The 51-year-old was taken to Elland Road police station where he suddenly kicked out at one of the officers as he was being taken into custody.

Field initially denied burglary when he was interviewed.

Field, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary, common assault and assaulting an emergency worker.

The court heard he has 53 previous convictions for 178 offences including burglary and violence.

Stephen Welford, mitigating, said Field was sorry for what he had done and committed the offences when his mental health deteriorated and he returned to misusing drugs and alcohol.