Hartlepool Burglar Found Hiding in Cupboard is Jailed

A burglar found hiding in a cupboard, wearing tights over his head, has been sentenced to over four years in prison.

The terrified occupants of the house in Clavering, Hartlepool, found a male in their home in the early hours of Sunday 10 September last year.

The family had noticed that the back door to the house was open, before finding Marshall in a cupboard.

There was a struggle and they managed to pull the tights from his head before he fled, dropping his mobile phone as he ran.

The following day, Sean Marshall, 44, from Hartlepool was arrested by officers and later charged.

In court, Marshall pleaded guilty to the burglary, plus four counts of attempted burglary and vehicle interference and was jailed for 50 months.

Detective Inspector Louise Sproson said: “Burglary is an extremely invasive crime, which in this case has understandably had a significant impact on the family.  I hope that this sentence brings some justice to them.”