A PROLIFIC teenage burglar who broke into a Cumbrian family’s home as they slept has been locked up.
Liam John Martin, 18, was caught on a ring door view CCTV camera initially trying the door of a porch at Hardknott Gardens in Kendal just before 3am on March 9. He returned soon afterwards, entering the porch and snatching a wallet from a jacket.
No entry was gained to the house itself, family members discovering the crime later that morning.
Martin then stole a Volkswagen Sharan from outside a neighbouring property, discarding two child’s car seats and a pram before travelling to Leyland. An hour later – wearing the same clothing as in the burglary – he made two food purchases from a McDonald’s with a card stolen from the porch and, later, a made a failed attempt to buy almost £200 worth of goods from a Footlocker store.
When caught by police, Martin smirked when CCTV was shown to him and initially denied being involved, even suggesting he had an alibi. He later admitted burglary, theft of the vehicle and fraud and was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court this morning (THURS).
A victim impact statement was provided by the husband whose wife’s car was stolen. “He describes how his wife has now taken to sleepwalking around the house with keys in her hand, almost unconsciously checking the doors and windows to make sure they are locked,” said prosecutor Gerard Rogerson.
“It is also described how the couple’s daughter has had nightmares and worries about somebody returning to steal their other vehicle.”
The court heard of Martin’s troubled childhood and also of his eight previous burglary convictions, 72 past offences and his first detention at the age of just 13.
Martin, who has links to the Chorley and Leyland areas but no fixed address, was jailed for 876 days.
“Although 18, you have what can only be described as an appalling set of previous convictions,” said Judge Nicholas Barker.
