Barking dog alerted pensioner to burglar

A horrified OAP saw a burglar sneaking out of her house when her dog started barking.
Preston Crown CourtPreston Crown Court
Preston Crown Court

The victim, who is 66, was upstairs at her mid terraced home on Ribble Road in Blackpool when Karl Thompson sneaked in and helped himself to her purse and cash cards, just after 4.30pm on March 
15.

Thompson, who has racked up 38 convictions for 67 offences in the last 17 years, has been jailed for 28 months over the burglary after admitting the offence at Preston Crown Court. Judge Simon Newell jailed him for 28 months.

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Prosecuting, Karen Brooks said: “She was watching TV and had cause to go upstairs, and was accompanied by her dog. Her husband was also upstairs in a bedroom.

“She heard a knocking noise and the dog scampered downstairs. She pursued the dog and saw the defendant through the dining room window quietly closing the rear exit door which led into the back yard.

“He then opened the gate onto the alley and left towards Clinton Avenue. She recognised him, having seen him behaving strangely in Costcutters the previous evening and decided not to confront him.

“When she searched the premises she saw her brown leather purse had been removed. She reported the matter to police and Yorkshire Bank said her bank card had been used to top up a mobile phone for £20.”

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Thompson, 31, of Havelock Street, Blackpool, was arrested close by, high on drugs. He was identified in a police parade but made no comment to police.

Paul Humphries, defending, said he had tried to stay out of trouble and had a partner and a two-year-old child.

He added: “It was approaching the anniversary of his dad’s death and he had two strong bottles of beer.

“He’s very sorry.