A would-be burglar who was caught on a doorbell camera trying to force his way into a house before trying the handles of a car on the drive has been locked up.
After unsuccessfully gaining entry, Jonathan Watson wandered further down the Darlington street where he tried to gain access to two Volvos and an Audi before smashing two windows of a Ford Fiesta.
Teesside Crown Court heard how the 36-year-old had little recollection of the events in the early hours of April 13 this year as he prowled around properties in Glaisdale Court on his latest crime spree.
Jenny Haigh, prosecuting, said: “Doorbell CCTV footage showed the defendant approach the house, he is seen to try to open the front door of the property, leaning into it, he was unsuccessful and then tried to open the door of an Audi which was parked on the driveway of the same property.
“He then approached another house and attempted to open the door of two Volvos parked on the drive – again he was unsuccessful.
“He then approached a neighbouring property and smashed the driver’s side front and rear windows.”
Miss Haigh added that the defendant was under the influence of drink at the time and had no recollection of committing the offences.
The court heard how Watson had 51 convictions for 111 offences, including 29 theft related offences.
Watson, of Victoria Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to one attempted burglary, three charges of vehicle interference and a further charge of criminal damage.
John Nixon, mitigating, said his client was in the grip of his alcohol problem at the time of the offences and deserved maximum credit after he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Judge Jonathan Carroll sentenced Watson to a total of 16 months for all offences.
“The offences took place in the early hours of the morning, you, and potentially a female accomplice who has not been identified, were out at 2.45am and were caught on CCTV going up to a door, and with some degree of force, attempted to force entry to the house,” he said.
“The time has come when you want to end the continuous problem of going in and out of prison.”
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