Burglar caught in the act by CCTV

A 27-year-old Chadderton man who tried to burgle the home of his girlfriend’s elderly uncle was called a “disgrace” by a Crown Court judge.

Jonathan Dunne took advantage of the fact that he had become a welcome visitor at the home of pensioner Albert Holt in Catlin Way, Hollinwood.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told that during a visit there, he sneaked into the bedroom where he began to open drawers in the hope of finding valuables.

Unfortunately for him, his movement triggered a CCTV camera, and he was caught red-handed.

David Bentley prosecuting, said Dunne of Henley Street, Chadderton, had been going out with Mr Holt’s niece, and had become a regular visitor to the home.

On the occasion in question, he had made an excuse of wanting to use the toilet, but in fact crept into the bedroom.

Mr Holt, who is in his early 80s saw a figure on the CCTV screen and police were later called.

Mr Bentley said the camera video showed that Dunne had opened drawers while in the room, though no property was taken.

Dunne initially denied any wrong doing, but when he was shown the camera footage he admitted what he had done.

Giving him a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, Judge Timothy Mort told him: “In a moment of madness you went into his bedroom to see if there was anything you could steal.

“Unfortunately for you the CCTV system was activated.

“Targeting an elderly man in his 80s is a disgrace.”

Dunne, who pleaded guilty to burglary, was ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work in the community in addition to the suspended sentence.