A prolific burglar who raided a couple’s Carlisle home and then broke into a nearby golf club before being detained by workers has been handed another jail term.
Craig Weaver, 46, was caught in the act by the shocked occupant of a Warwick Road address, at around 6.30am on October 3, after her partner had left for work.
She heard a noise, went downstairs and found Weaver rummaging in her handbag. Weaver left the house but the woman, a teacher, reported that a number of personal possessions — a backpack, passport, bank cards and watches, including a Rolex — were missing.
In an impact statement, the woman spoke of Weaver’s crime affecting her in so many way.
She was left tearful, home security had been boosted at a cost and the couple were considering moving house.
Just an hour after that burglary, Weaver was confronted after he broke into Stoney Holme Golf Club, where nearby workers were alerted by an intruder alarm.
Windows had been smashed and the business was left with a £2,500 bill by the crime of Weaver, who warned as he was detained by the workers that he would stab them up and knew someone with a shotgun.
It was the second time in 10 days the business had been broken into although Weaver faced no charge in relation to the earlier incident at that premises.
He did admit two burglary offences, committed on October 3, at Carlisle Crown Court, where Judge Michael Fanning passed sentence today.
The judge heard Weaver, of no fixed address, had 145 offences on his criminal record — including seven previous domestic burglaries — and had made his first court appearance in 1993.
The court heard he was homeless having been released from prison late last year with no accommodation or support, was debt-laden and suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts.
He could remember little of the most recent crimes having taken some pills while in low mood on the anniversary of his daughter’s death — but had expressed deep remorse.
Judge Fanning imposed a total prison sentence of four years and eight months.
