Jail for prolific Carlisle burglar "to protect public"

During Craig Weaver's latest burglary spree - committed on December 8 last year in Carlisle – he escaped briefly with a variety of valuable goods, including laptops, mobile phones and wallets.

But he was quickly caught by police, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

Weaver, 37, of Charles Street, Carlisle, admitted three burglaries and was jailed for four and a half years.

The court heard that the defendant committed his string of house raids at night while his victims – in Lindisfarne Street, Lindisfarne Court, and Oswald Street – were all still at home.

Weaver's earlier offences had been fuelled by an addiction to heroin but he had now conquered, said defence solicitor John Smith.

The lawyer outlined how the defendant lost his baby daughter eight years ago and had suffered mental health problems as a result. He said Weaver's latest offences were committed while he was under the influence of a sleeping aid which he had been prescribed.

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Davies told the defendant: “You have a dreadful record... The time has come for a proper sentence for you. You need to be away from members of the public so that they are protected.

“Three people were asleep at night in their homes and they were rudely awakened by you.”

The judge noted that the homes targeted by Weaver were secure at the time of the burglaries and he forced his way in, stealing laptops and mobile phones which may well have been storing information of sentimental value.

The judge commented in passing that Weaver was not particularly good at committing burglaries: he was caught quickly and the goods recovered.

The judge said: “You are persistent in committing dishonesty offences – particularly burglaries. This can't be tolerated.

“This is the second time you have been before the courts as a minimum term offender – a three strikes offender. The last time was in 2013.”

That time, Weaver was jailed for three years. Judge Davies added: "There must be a proper sentence."