Sharp-eyed detective caught Hartlepool burglar in Morrisons

Craig Short and an unknown accomplice smashed their way into the house while the family barricaded themselves upstairs.

The 35-year-old was identified after leaving traces of blood at the house after a brick was used to smash through a window.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Short stole vapes and a drone, which were presents that the victim had bought for her nephew, during the break-in on March 28 this year.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said the defendant awoke the residents when they were banging on their door before pretending that they were the police and were looking for ‘Kevin’.

She said: “At this stage, she locked herself, her partner, and her dogs in a room upstairs.

“She heard smashing and when she went downstairs saw a brick had been used to smash the window and a carrier bag containing the presents was gone.”

Miss Masters said Sharp was caught when a detective recognised the suspect and when he was searched, he was found to be carrying a small lock knife and Class C drugs zopiclone and pregabalin.

Craig Short (Image: Cleveland Police)

Short, of Taunton Grove, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to burglary, possession of a knife in a public place, and possession of Class C drugs, when he appeared in magistrates’ court.

Stephen Constantine, mitigating, said his client had only had the knife in his possession for a short period of time after he picked up before he went into Morrisons with his mother.

He added: “He committed these offences out of desperation.”

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Recorder Felicity Davies sentenced Short to a total of two years for all offences after telling Short it was a ‘ludicrously stupid thing to do’ when he picked up the knife considering his previous record.

She said: “You frightened the woman and her partner so much that they locked themselves in a room upstairs.

“They then heard a smashing sound, looked out of the window and saw you running away.”

Short was also ordered to pay £87 compensation to victim of the burglary.