A convicted burglar caught trying to break into a home on a Ring doorbell tried to flee the scene on a child's pink bike.
The victim was woken at 2.40am when he was notified by his Ring doorbell that someone was outside his home on Capricorn Crescent, Huyton.
When he checked his phone he saw stranger Craig Ford, whose face was partly covered by a mask and who appeared to be fiddling with the front door lock, said Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting in Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, January 20.
READ MORE: Mum who sent £6k to drug-dealing boyfriend in Dubai spared jail
He seemed to be using an implement he had taken from his pocket and he was gesturing to another man who was hiding behind a nearby car.
The householder bravely went downstairs to challenge him but Ford ran off and jumped onto a child’s pink bicycle before abandoning it and running off.
The other man, who like Ford was dressed in dark clothing, rode off on a bicycle which had been next to the car.
The householder ran after Ford from the house but gave up when they reached Liverpool Road, said Miss Nemat.
Ford was arrested a few days later on June 11 last year after a police officer recognised him from the Ring image of him.
In an impact statement the householder told how the closing mechanism of the front door had been damaged and the cost of a new door was £800.
Miss Nemat said: “He has been left feeling insecure in his own home and goes round checking it. He felt afraid about what might have happened if he had not disturbed him."
Ford, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and was jailed for two years.
Liverpool Crown Court heard he has 17 previous convictions for 33 offences including burglary and dishonesty. He was on licence at the time of the offence and was recalled to prison after his arrest.
Carmel Wilde, defending, said Ford “realises he needs to grow up.”
He regretted the distress he had caused and wants a clean slate. He has been going in and out of prison and wants a chance to integrate himself in the community.
Although he is 28 years old he is immature and needs to get away from bad influences, she added.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
