Gainsborough burglar jailed after being caught in the act

John Parker attempted to force his way into the utility room of the property on Nelson Street, Gainsborough, in the early hours of the morning but the noise he made woke the occupants.

Lucky Thandi, prosecuting at Lincoln Crown Court, said the householder went to investigate and found Parker tampering with the lock.

Parker was confronted by the man who ordered him to get on the floor and then detained him until police arrived.

Parker claimed he was innocent. He told officers he was looking for scrap and had no intention to steal anything.

Miss Thandi said: “When he was interviewed he said he could not be sure of his movements that night because he had taken legal highs.”

Police later discovered a lock-up garage nearby in Carters Lane had been broken into in the same evening, although nothing was taken. CCTV footage led to Parker being identified as the burglar.

Parker, 32, of Lord Street, Gainsborough, admitted charges of attempted burglary of the house in Nelson Street and burglary of a garage as a result of the incidents on February 7 this year.

He also admitted being in breach of a suspended jail sentence imposed in November 2017 for five offences of theft.

Jailing him for 20 months, Judge Simon Hirst said: “These offences are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be passed upon you.”

Mark Watson, in mitigation, said Parker believed he was breaking into an outbuilding when he was at the property on Nelson Street and was not looking to enter the living area.

Mr Watson said “His background is one of drug addiction and mental health difficulties. He suffers from schizophrenia.

“Shortly before this he was thrown out of his friend’s house where he was sofa surfing and he was made homeless.”