Burglars had the "audacity" to return the scene of their crime and take drugs bought with the proceeds of what they stole. Staff attended the three-storey house, with three rooms for residents, after seeing people they did not recognise on CCTV.
One was new resident, mother-of-three Leanne Pemberton, with others in a "living room full of smoke," said Stuart Pattinson, prosecuting, at Nottingham Crown Court. Pemberton told staff, "it was crack cocaine and heroin", before everyone left the property in Alfreton Road, Radford.
Pemberton, 34, who moved in on July 5 last year, and James Cumberpatch, 45, of Nottingham Road, Basford, were behind the burglary in the room of a resident when she went away for the weekend.
Read more: 34-year-old woman bailed in connection with Clifton stabbing
The victim had moved to the house and was meant to feel safe. It is managed by a community interest company that aims to help vulnerable people in the community that face homelessness and the barriers in accessing affordable, safe and clean accommodation.
A sufferer of anxiety and depression, she returned to find her belongings had been rifled through, including her underwear, by housemate Pemberton and co-accused Cumberpatch. The resident's PlayStation was stolen, jewellery, £50, and medication, totalling £499.
Since the burglary, which both Pemberton and Cumberpatch admitted, she has tried to get her life back on track, but questions why they did this - to take the opportunity to steal from her.
She described how they had the "audacity" to come back later and take drugs with the proceeds of what they stole. The court also heard Pemberton has nine convictions for 34 offences, including theft and shoplifting, and a burglary where she stole a PlayStation.
"It is sad to hear you have spent half your life in prison. It is a life wasted"
Pemberton was jailed for 14 months on Wednesday (January 19). Cumberpatch had 36 convictions for 175 offences, including 28 different burglaries. CCTV had captured him coming downstairs at the burgled house as he tried to hide a bag.
When he reached the kitchen, he placed the bag between his legs and tried to hide it again. He was jailed for three years, with Recorder David Bedenham addressing him in the dock: "It is sad to hear you have spent half your life in prison. It is a life wasted".
READ NEXT:
'Coward' who blamed girlfriend for fatal crash has caused 'a lifetime of pain'
Man married woman who left him needing surgery after glass attack in Mansfield
Nottinghamshire welder caught drink-driving after mercy dash to help stranded ex
Arnold pensioner denies owning dog which was 'dangerously out of control'
Asthma sufferer blamed bust lip on his failure to give breath test to police
