John Francis admitted burgling the first house because he knew where the cash and valuables were after carrying out decorating work at the property
Two house burglars made slow getaways on their 8-mph scooters. A disabled burglar was jailed.
John Francis, 44, crawled through a kitchen window to get into one home in Worcester while a family of nine people – including children – were asleep upstairs on May 26 last year.
He stole bank cards, cash, a laptop, an iPad and an iPhone before fleeing on his electric cart, which was parked outside, and was caught on CCTV the next day going on a spending spree, buying a drill, whisky, trainers and a hoodie.
Francis confessed later that he burgled the first house, knowing where cash and valuables was after having done decorating work on the property.
On May 30 he broke into a female student’s bedroom in the same town and fled empty-handed before riding away on his getaway scooter.
The police raided the home of Mr. Worcester, and took his car as well as a Taser.
Following his admission to burglary, attempted and fraudulent charges at Worcester Crown Court, the defendant was sent to jail for 26 months.
Judge Nicholas Cartwright sent him to prison on Monday.
A judge also stated that Francis had taken the electronic device from his first home, which contained personal data.
John Francis is seen arriving at Worcester Magistrates Court and park his mobility scooter there
Following his admission to attempted burglary, burglary and fraud charges at Worcester Crown Court, the defendant was sent to jail for 26 months
He stated that the laptops and smartphones were not only a financial loss for their owners but also contained personal information such as photographs and personal messages.
According to the court, Francis was convicted of 32 offences in his past including shoplifting and drug use.
On May 26, he admitted to breaking into six bedrooms in Hillary Road in Worcester. He did this by sneaking in through a window, and then ransacked the lower rooms.
As well as stealing electronic devices, he also swiped £100 in cash from a tea pot before escaping on the scooter.
On May 30, while wearing black, he tried to burgle another Worcestershire house. However, he was arrested after he disturbed a female student.
Siobhan Coll, Prosecutor: “She was woken at 3.20am by the defendant trying access her bedroom window. It was close to her.
She described it as just above her heads.
“When the victim shouted at them, they ran off.”
“He got on his mobility scooter and went.”
Her uncle was a taxi driver and obtained a picture of Francis from the neighboring property. Then he contacted police.
Francis was arrested by officers who raided his house on June 9, after he had been caught using bank cards in the previous burglary.
Francis stated that he’d been “looking to burgle” another house and then broke into the student’s home because he’d run out of money.
He was ordered to spend at least half of his sentence in prison.