Sheffield burglar told police: '˜You've got me bang to rights'
Sheffield Crown Court heard how Kirk Brunie, aged 35, got into the house on Dodd Street in Hillsborough through the patio in the early hours of October 3 as its two occupants lay asleep upstairs.
But eagle-eyed neighbour Paul Martin alerted police after he spotted two men acting suspiciously outside.
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Hide AdProsecutor Neil Coxon said police spotted a man lying on the floor when they peered through the window of the house. “When they knocked on the door a man answered and said: ‘You’ve got me then, you’ve got me bang to rights.’”
Mr Coxon said Bruni was carrying a screwdriver and a long-handled torch when he was arrested.
Police found two handbags, a wallet and purse belonging to the students, aged 24 and 25.
In a victim statement one said ‘this has made me afraid to be in my own home’.
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Hide AdBrunie, of Addy Close, Upperthorpe, pleaded guilty to burglary, and going equipped for the crime.
The court heard he had previous convictions for burglary and robbery.
Defending, Richard Jepson said Brunie had ‘started hanging around with the wrong people’ in 2015 when he spent time in a hostel populated with drug users.
Jailing Brunie for two-and-a-half years, Judge Recorder Chris Williams said the thief had entered ‘a downward spiral’ after being led astray.