Police found drug addict burglar passed out 50 yards from Guiseley crime scene Leeds Crown Court told

Craig Hunter stole items including a chain saw and a rotavator from the garage outside the house in Guiseley just before 5am on September 1, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Police found Hunter 50 yards from the scene of the burglary at 7.30am that morning.

He had passed out after taking a cocktail of drugs and had the rotavator and a key fob to the garage, which had been stolen in an earlier burglary at the house.

Caroline Abraham, prosecuting, said the victim had CCTV footage of a man burgling the garage at 4.53am, but there was no sign of a forced entry.

Miss Abraham said Hunter, 43,of no fixed address, committed the burglary while subject to a community order imposed in May for handling stolen goods, theft and interfering with a vehicle.

He was convicted of handling stolen goods after police in Guiseley saw him pushing a wheeled bin containing a circular saw, which had been stolen in a shed burglary.

Hunter admitted the September 1 garage burglary.

Charlotte Rimmer, mitigating, said: This defendant was found 50 yards from the premises, passed out.

"He instructed me he had overdosed, consuming a cocktail of drugs. This was in no way sophisticated."

"He is absolutely anxious to get himself clean. He said his life was deteriorating pending September 5, the date when he lost his father many years ago - an anniversary which always hits him hard."

Jailing Hunter for one year-and-eight months, Recorder of Leeds, Judge Guy Kearl QC told him: "You were found slumped nearby a few hours later in possession of some of the stolen items. You were intoxicated at the time.

"You were, it seems to me, stealing to fund your drug habit, but there seems to be some hope for you in the future because you are on your way to being clean."