A Carlisle burglar is facing a minimum three-year jail term for breaking into occupied homes at night as residents slept — and for stealing NHS hoodies from the city’s hospital.
Ricky Anthony O’Neil, 37, entered guilty pleas to five charges when he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court today, including offences of burglary which involve the raids of houses overnight while householders were inside.
O’Neil admitted entering the Cumberland Infirmary’s ophthalmology department as a trespasser, on October 3, and stealing NHS logo hoodies.
There were also burglaries of two house during that night and one attempted burglary.
From one home on Dalston Road, O’Neil stole a stash of personal possessions which were a laptop, three mobile phones, a Nintendo Switch, PlayStation controller, after shave, some hair putty, magnetic letters, Pokémon cards and a Sainsbury’s bag for life.
From another address on the same street, during the early hours of the following morning, he snatched an Apple MacBook, pair of jeans, wallet and pair of trainers.
And he accepted also illegally entering a property on Colville Terrace in Denton Holme with intent to steal.
O’Neil further admitted an offence of burglary which he committed at a home on Carlisle’s Kingstown Road, on September 3, when he stole gold and silver items, watches, cash and metal figures.
O’Neil’s barrister, Kim Whittlestone, told the court he had received a 37-month prison sentence in 2018. However, since his release from custody there had been a gap in his offending as he remained drug-free — before he returned to crime during September and October.
Judge Michael Fanning adjourned the case for further background information to be sought. O’Neil, of Rydal Place, Carlisle, is due to be sentenced at the court next Friday, November 10, and in the meantime he was remanded in custody.
O’Neil faces a mandatory three-year prison sentence as he is considered a three-strike offender having at least two previous convictions for dwelling burglaries in the recent past on his criminal record.
