Hartlepool burglar targeted victim while she was in hospital

Liam Rowbotham went on a crime spree when his mental health declined and he turned to alcohol and drugs to cope, a judge heard.

The 40-year-old was spotted by a neighbour as he was breaking into the property before fleeing with a television and other items, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, said the defendant’s latest crime spree started when he stole four bottles of whisky from a Premier store in Hartlepool on May 22 this year.

After he was confronted by staff, he forced his way out of a locked door before fleeing the scene, she said.

Later on the same day Rowbotham assaulted two police officers when they were attempting to arrest him.

She said officers were called after reports of a man pushing a woman in the street and found the defendant hiding under a bed upstairs.

“He was immediately aggressive towards the officers,” she said. “He pushed one of the officers against the wall in an effort to escape and he was then restrained by two officers.

“In the living room downstairs, the defendant got to his feet and bit one of the officers on the left shoulder.”

Miss Lamballe said Rowbotham tried to bite another officer to leg before kicking a colleague on the shoulder.

The police used an incapacitant to subdue him but he managed to headbutt one of them as they took him to the van.

Dealing with the burglary on June 26, she said police traced the defendant to a nearby property where they found him hiding under a duvet in the attic space.

Liam Rowbotham (Image: Cleveland Police)

Rowbotham, of Lime Crescent, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to burglary, two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, shop theft, criminal damage and possession of cannabis.

Stephen Constantine, mitigating, said: “He is somebody who has struggled with mental health. In the main it is kept under control which is evidenced by the fact he has kept out of trouble for periods.

“When it is not under control, he uses alcohol and drugs to self-medicate.”

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Recorder Paul Reid sentenced Rowbotham to a total of 20 months for all offences.

He said: “The burglary was an unpleasant incident. The occupier was in hospital and her house was empty.

“Her former partner was keeping an eye on the property for her and he received a report that somebody had gone in through a rear window.

“You had gone into the house and taken items including a television.”