Burglar struck at houses in Horden when occupants were away

But Darren Blench was caught after leaving traces of blood at the scene of one burglary while he took a mountain bike in the other belonging to someone who knew him.

Durham Crown Court heard that Blench struck at an address in Warren Street, Horden, between October 13 and 17, while the occupant was visiting a relative.

On the householder’s return he found windows were smashed with glass littering the floor.

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He was unable to gain access by the door as the handle was broken so he had to climb in via one of the smashed windows.

Shada Mellor, prosecuting, said a stereo sound system, tv, iPhone and branded clothing were taken, to a total value of about £500, but there was a blood stain left on the bed.

Samples were taken and a forensic match with the defendant was subsequently confirmed.

The victim said he was in shock at what he discovered as it was not the first burglary he had suffered and, as a result, he has moved out of the area.

Miss Mellor said the occupant of a house in Tenth Street, Horden, returned home to find his kitchen window completely removed on October 27.

A number of items were taken, including a kettle, water cooler, after shave worth £200 and a lap-top computer, valued at between £300 and £400.

The boiler of the property had also been removed, but there was no leak as the stop-cock was switched off beneath the sink, while the gas switch was also turned off.

A mountain bike, worth about £1,000, was taken from the back of the property, where it had been left for the owner to collect, but it emerged he knew Blench and, in a Facebook message, he asked for its return.

Blench apologised, saying he had sold it, but he claimed he would try to recover the bike.

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The victim of this burglary was uninsured and, although the stolen kettle, water cooler and boiler were all recovered, the after shave and lap-top remain outstanding.

Thirty-year-old Blench, formerly of Ninth Street, Horden, admitted two counts of burglary.

The court heard he has 20 convictions for 32 offences, including two previous domestic burglaries.

Matthew Simpson, in mitigation, said the defendant is aware he will be subject of the minimum starting point for sentence of three years as a, now, third-strike domestic burglar.

“While the burglaries are deeply regrettable, he wants me to express remorse on his behalf.”

Mr Simpson described the defendant as, “a rather desperate drug addict”, which he said would not surprise the court.

“The offences were borne out of meeting the means to fund his habit, in his case, namely for heroin.”

He said the stolen goods were to sell to enable Blench to buy the drug, and accepted that while there was some degree of pre-planning, they were, in reality, committed, “on impulse”.

Read next:

               County Durham man returned home to discover burglary

               'Third-strike' County Durham burglar starting latest long sentence

               County Durham burglar jailed after five attempts to enter homes on same night

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Mr Simpson added that the defendant had previously served a 12-month sentence, but this would be his longest stretch behind bars.

Recorder Edward Legard said the majority of the defendant’s offences were probably committed to fund the defendant’s drug addiction.

He imposed the mandatory minimum three-year prison sentence but deducted approximately six months to account for the defendant’s prompt guilty pleas, leaving the resulting sentence one of 900 days.