A burglar who made himself at home in a house he smashed his way into, while drunk, was found eating biscuits in an upstairs bedroom.

Scott William Donkin thought he had broken into a family member’s home in Peterlee but was unaware they had moved on and the property was by then occupied by a stranger.

Durham Crown Court was told that Donkin had been released from prison only two days earlier, in December, last year, and went on a drinking binge.

The Northern Echo:

Sam Faulks, prosecuting, said the woman living there at the time received a phone call at work informing her that a brick had been put through the back door by an intruder, on the afternoon of December 19.

She persuaded her boss to allow her to return home and on arrival, in the aftermath of the incident, found the house trashed, as all she could see was “mess and destruction”, with the TV set toppled over and the controller smashed.

Family photos of sentimental value, which had been on display, were found smashed, with glass over the floor and cupboards left open having been searched.

Mr Faulks said yellow biscuit wrappers were found strewn around, with crumbs across the floor, while coat hangers were found snapped and garments appeared to have been tried on

The victim said she was pleased she had not been at the property at the time of the break-in and told police she hoped the perpetrator goes to prison, as she felt like a nervous wreck.

Mr Faulks said on arrival, earlier, police had caught the defendant red-handed in the property when they attended and found him upstairs surrounded by biscuits and wrappers, shouting that he did not want to be tasered.

He said he had earlier become very drunk and attended the property, admitting responsibility for the forced intrusion and the subsequent mess.

The Northern Echo:

The 30-year-old defendant, of Brandlings Way, Peterlee, admitted burglary.

Mr Faulks told the court Donkin has, “a myriad of previous offending” in a past record of 24 convictions for 98 offences, featuring a lot of theft, plus a burglary and two non-dwelling burglaries.

He had only been released days earlier following a sentence of a few weeks for six shoplifting offences and possessing cannabis.

Mr Faulks added: “It’s quite obvious it’s fairly endemic in this man’s character to steal and to take other people’s property.”

Tony Davis, representing Donkin, said his offender manager’s statement in the probation background report prepared for the court made for, “pretty grim reading” in this case.

“It was only two days or so after his release from prison and he was in a drunken stupor.

“The house had (previously) belonged to his sister and he remains a problem to the rest of his family.

“He offers his profound apologies to the victims and hopes she realises it was not a deliberate targeting exercise.

“He has a history of homelessness and sofa-surfing when he’s back into drug misuse.”

Donkin, then briefly addressed Judge Nathan Adams, telling him: “I do apologise for all this. I do regret it.”

Judge Adams told the defendant: “You have an appalling criminal record.

“You are a prolific shoplifter with other offending of non-dwelling burglary in 2020 and, since then, a dwelling burglary.

“You also have a poor compliance with court orders and you were only released from your most recent shoplifting sentence shortly before this.

“You said you thought it was your sister’s house.

“That makes no difference whatsoever.”

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

Only one day left to receive five months of our digital newspaper for just £5. Click here for details

Passing a 20-month prison sentence, Judge Adams told Donkin that he should bear in mind he is now a “second-strike” house burglar.

He reminded him should he commit one further similar offence the starting point for sentence becomes a mandatory three years.

Judge Adams added: “The sentences are only going to get longer and longer.”