Man jailed for two years for burglary in Hartlepool

A man who walked into the home of a disabled woman and her two children as they slept, has been jailed for two years.

Michael Hutchinson, 30, was caught on CCTV in the front garden of the house on Macauley Road, in Hartlepool, before entering through the front door of the property on 16 Sept last year.

He searched the porch area of the house as she and her children slept, then left the house and tried her car door handle before fleeing the area.

Hutchinson, who claimed in court that he couldn’t remember breaking into the house due to taking Valium prior to the incident was sentenced to two years for burglary.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rebecca Bessford said: “This crime had a significant impact on the victim and her children.

“The victim was sleeping downstairs at the time of the break in due to her disability, and the knowledge of someone entering her home as she and her family slept has left them feeling extremely frightened.

“The CCTV footage was extremely clear and Hartlepool PCSOs quickly identified Hutchinson, enabling his arrest a couple of days after the incident had taken place.

“I hope that this sentence can help the family to feel more secure in their home now.”