By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 12:09, Thursday, 24 January 2013

A burglar who stole Christmas presents from an elderly woman the day after being released from prison has been jailed for 16 months.

Mark Proudfoot, of Carlisle: Jailed for 16 months after admitting burglary - the day after his release from prison

Mark Proudfoot, 26, stole cash and gifts worth more than £700 after raiding a communal cupboard at the flats where the woman lived, off Warwick Road in Carlisle.

Proudfoot, of Borland Avenue in Botcherby, Carlisle, appeared before the city’s crown court, where he was sentenced after admitting burglary.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting, said a relative visited the woman on December 8 – the day she placed the presents in the cupboard.

The woman went to hand over the presents, but they had gone. She was, Mr Rogerson said, “shocked and devastated”. The presents included make-up, perfume and envelopes containing cash. “This effectively ruined her Christmas and her family’s Christmas,” added Mr Rogerson. They were actions she described as despicable and sickening.

Investigations led police to Proudfoot and he was arrested the next day.

Some of the packages were found at his home but items and cash worth £550 were missing.

In interview, he told police: “The one with all the Christmas presents, that was me.” When asked why he had gone into the property, he replied: “I was off my head.”

The court heard he had been released from a burglary and shoplifting sentence the day before. He had drunk alcohol and taken diazepam.

Greg Hoare, in mitigation, said Proudfoot was “acutely aware” that the public viewed this type of crime “as the lowest” and he had “a real sense of shame”.

First published at 11:58, Thursday, 24 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk