A would-be burglar caught on Ring doorbells as he and a partner-in-crime loitered outside Carlisle family homes in the early hours has been handed a 12-month prison sentence.
The city’s crown court heard how Alfie McIntosh, now 20, wore a mask and gloves as attempts were made to open doors and enter homes at Green Lane and Yewdale Road shortly after 4am on September 7 while residents were inside.
In each case, video doorbell footage captured two men — one unknown — outside the addresses. McIntosh was positively and easily identified from the CCTV systems.
Occupants had later told police of feeling uneasy about incidents which had also led to domestic security being bolstered. “It is not nice knowing that someone has tried to get into your home,” one had said.
Cash was stolen by McIntosh from a parked car which was entered outside one victim’s home. He admitted two attempted burglary charges and theft, and was sentenced today at Carlisle Crown Court for that offending and for criminal activity on two other dates.
On August 29 he allowed himself to be carried in a car which was stolen and crashed into a bus stop following a police chase.
And on November 4, police caught McIntosh drink-driving on Eden Bridge in Carlisle. He had no insurance and has never held a licence.
He admitted those crimes and allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle taken without consent in the earlier occasion.
The court heard of McIntosh’s hard and challenging upbringing, and that he had turned to heavy use of drink and drugs last year following the death of his father. He had committed burglaries at the age of just 14.
In a letter he read to court, McIntosh spoke of being scared while on reman in prison and vowed to turn his life around. “I am sorry to my victims. I take full responsibility for my actions,” he said. “I am really sorry for what I have done.”
Judge Nicholas Barker sentenced McIntosh to 12 months’ youth detention. He must serve an 18-month driving ban when released.
Judge Barker said of the attempted burglaries: “Had those doors been open then it is reasonable for me to conclude you would have gone into their addresses in an intoxicated state with people asleep upstairs. Who knows what might have then occurred?
“To know that people are trying to break into their houses at 4am or 4.30am is obviously concerning to them.”
