Burglar jailed for breaking into home of disabled man and grandmother in Telford

Jordan Archer was later arrested by police after his fingerprints were found on the door of the bungalow, and it was then he revealed he was carrying a knife, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told yesterday.

The 26-year-old broke into a bungalow in Spout Way, Telford, through the back door, when the grandson was out and his grandmother was ill in bed, Miss Maria Brannan, on behalf of the crown, said.

The grandson locked the back door but it was damaged, and that is how Archer gained entry at about 3.20pm on June 22 this year, according to Miss Brannan.

And when the grandson returned he found his Xbox controllers missing.

Miss Brannan added: "He asked his grandmother if he had seen anything and she said she had been asleep but had woken to see a white male leaving through the back patio area, which she assumed to be one of her grandson's friends."

The grandson asked his neighbours and was told a man had been making door-to-door inquiries asking for work.

Then a fingerprint was found on the patio door and Archer, of Market Place, Shifnal, was arrested on July 16.

"The defendant was asked upon his arrest if he had any items that could cause injury and he produced a weapon," Miss Brannan added.

Police cautioned Archer and he replied saying "if you had as many enemies as me, you would too," according to the prosecution.

Miss Brannan said: "The defendant was interviewed and said he had no money for food so he'd been going around looking for work. He said he didn't think there was anybody in the house and he wouldn't have gone in if he'd known.

"Mr Archer admitted taking one Xbox controller and said he carried the knife for his own protection."

Jemma Gordon, on behalf of Archer, said he knows he was wrong.

"He has found himself in a cycle which has resulted in him continually going into prison," she said.

Archer, who has been sentenced for 26 offences in the past, pleaded guilty to burglary and to possession of a knife in a public place.

Judge Anthony Lowe sentenced Archer to 20 months in prison of which he will serve half.

Judge Lowe said: "You have no concept of the effect that it has on the household once that sense of security has been breached, it's like trust, once it's gone it can never be regained. That's particularly so for more elderly people.

"You have a particular way in which you operate which makes you look at houses as a financial gain and this has got to stop.

"The reason you gave for carrying a knife fills the court with horror because it means you were prepared to use it."