A burglar stole a bank card from a couple's home as they slept and used it at a pizza chain.
Lee Aaron Day broke into the home in Spennymoor, County Durham at around 11pm. The 27-year-old stole items including £30, the victim’s wallet, bank cards, watch and even his bus pass.
He then used their bank card to make several fraudulent transactions, totalling more than £150, at a petrol station, supermarkets and a pizza chain.
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Officers recognised Day after reviewing CCTV footage and arrested him. He initially denied all knowledge of the offences, claiming he was at home asleep when they occurred on February 2.
Day then changed his story, saying he had been given the bank card by someone underage who he had bought cigarettes for in exchange for a share.
He made the claim despite CCTV showing no one waiting for him outside the shops.
Following a trial at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court in Peterlee, County Durham, Day, formally of Jackson Street, Spennymoor, was found guilty of one charge of burglary and three counts of fraud.
He was also convicted of a separate burglary at Curry’s Delivery Depot in October last year, when he stole a 50in TV.
At Durham Crown Court on Monday, Day was sentenced to 40 months in prison.
Following the sentencing hearing, Mike Sammut, a Neighbourhood Inspector at Durham Constabulary, said: "Day is a prolific offender who sneaked his way into an elderly victim’s house whilst he slept and then went on a spending spree with his credit cards.
"Nobody should have to wake up to find their home has been violated in this way and personal property stolen.
"I am pleased that Day has received a lengthy custodial sentence which reflects the crime he is guilty of and hope this gives the residents of Spennymoor some peace of mind."
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