A Knowle woman who found burglars in her home managed to grab back her property from one of them. And police called in then chased and caught him.
Bristol Crown Court heard the Langham Road resident returned to her house and found an intruder leaving via the kitchen. After she called police Andrew Alford emerged from upstairs with a camera case around his neck and a large bag.
The court heard the householder reclaimed her property from him before he tried to flee over a garden wall. Police then arrived, gave chase and arrested him.
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Alford, 45, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary and two charges of criminal damage after the break-in on January 15. The court heard he had 31 previous convictions for 214 offences, including 37 dwelling burglaries.
The recorder Mr Tom Brown jailed him, in his absence, for 32 months. He told the court: "(The householder) says she has worked hard to buy items. She feels angry about about someone forcing entry into her home where she previously felt safe."
Caroline Bolt, prosecuting via video link, told the court when the householder disturbed the first raider he told her "Sorry miss, sorry miss" and then scarpered. She then saw Alford, got back her property and police turned up and arrested him.
The court heard he spat twice in a police van, claiming to have tested positive for Covid. He also smashed a police phone when in custody.
Although much property which was taken was retrieved, an Apple computer and TV as well as headphones were stolen in the raid. Alford's accomplice is yet to be identified.
Alford refused to attend the sentence from his prison remand cell. Mandla Ndlovu, defending, said the reason for the offence was his client's long-standing drug addiction which prompted him to go out and get money by any means.
Mr Ndlovu said: "This was an opportunistic offence. They saw the lights were off and planned to enter the house and take their chance in going in."
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