By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 12:33, Monday, 09 July 2012

A burglar has been jailed after he was spotted trying to squeeze through a tiny window of a Carlisle home.

Lawyers representing Daniel Graham at Carlisle Crown Court accepted he faced custody for his latest attempted burglary, but called for leniency now he has a new relationship.

Graham, 32, of Botcherby Avenue, Botcherby, had previously admitted attempted burglary.

Louise Carruthers and Carl Dowell had been in their car on Whinsmoor Drive, Harraby, at about 5pm on May 11, when they spotted Graham.

They later told police they saw him pull out a metal object, about 6ins long, and use it to further pry open the small wash room window of a home in the street.

He was trying to squeeze through, but realised he was too large.

Miss Carruthers sounded her horn, scaring Graham away, and Mr Dowell then followed him to ensure he could identify him to police.

Prosecutor Alan Lovett said: “Another witness indicates she was in her property when a shadow passed her window. She expected someone to knock at the door and when she went to look, the defendant was at the gate.

“He jumped over it and she saw he had an object, about 6ins in length, in his hand.”

A description of the attempted burglar was circulated, and Mr Dowell identified him for police.

Graham admitted the incident but told police he cannot properly remember the incident.

Christopher Toms, defending, said his client was not carrying anything, either as a weapon or to equip him for burglary, and officers found nothing on him when he was arrested.

“Mr Graham now has a relationship,” he continued, “which is clearly important to him. He is feeling the pains of incarceration much more now than he has in the past.”

Sentencing him, Judge Barbara Forrester said: “The only thing that stopped [the burglary] was the fact you were too big to fit through the window.

“You have a dreadful record of previous convictions; you have appeared before courts on a total of 41 occasions for 76 offences.

“The circumstances are relatively minor in that you didn’t actually get access, but I’m sure the fact you tried is enough to cause upset and concern to the householder.”

Graham was given credit for his early guilty plea, and sentenced to two years in prison. He must serve at least half of this, minus the 53 days he has spent on remand.

eparsons@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 11:27, Monday, 09 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk