Burglars targeted Nelson house while owner was in care (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burglars targeted Nelson house while owner was in care

8:44am Thursday 27th September 2012 in News

A PROLIFIC burglar who raided the home of a pensioner while the victim was in respite care has been locked up for 876 days.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the keys to a home in Nelson were found on Kevin Pearson after he and Mark Boyd, fellow drug addicts, were caught burgling another house in Nelson, on Milton Street, the same day, and were arrested.

Pearson, who had the haul taken from the 66-year-old victim’s home with him in a bag, has 152 previous convictions and appeared in court for his first burglary aged about 15. He stole watches, ornaments and keyrings from the OAP.

Pearson and Boyd, both 31, admitted burglary with intent to steal at Milton Street on July 18. Boyd admitted possessing a bladed article and Pearson admitted burglary.

Pearson, of no fixed address, served 95 days on remand. Boyd, of Belgrave Street, Nelson, received a community order for 12 months, with 250 hours unpaid work and a 12 month drug rehabilitation requirement.

When Pearson and Boyd were questioned over the burglary, Pearson claimed he had not gone into the premises and his co-defendant told officers he had gone inside to see the usual tenant.

After his arrest, Pearson was searched and the keys to the pensioner’s home were found on him.

A rear window at the house had been smashed. The victim identified the items in the bag on Pearson as belonging to him. Laura Heywood, for Pearson said his drink and drug problem ‘perhaps reflects’ his offences.