10:00pm Thursday 11th March 2010
By Wendy Barlow
A RAIDER who sneaked into a severely disabled man’s home and stole a TV and cash while his victim was in bed has been jailed for four years.
Burnley Crown Court heard how the morning after drug addict Joseph Hindle, 35, stole from John Lavin, the victim was also mugged in his sheltered accommodation flat by a man posing as a police officer looking into the theft.
Mr Lavin, who was threatened with death, had his other television taken, as well as sentimental jewellery which had belonged to his mother.
Two hours later, Hindle, who has 110 previous convictions, went to one of Mr Lavin’s neighbours with his haul, but the man’s carer was suspicious and spoke to police investigating the robbery.
Officers found Hindle not far away, with more property stolen from Mr Lavin.
The hearing was told how the defendant had spent so much of his life behind bars he was unable to cope outside the prison walls.
Hindle, of Cronkshaw Street, Burnley, had admitted burglary and handling stolen goods. He had originally been charged with robbery, but the prosecution dropped the allegation.
He has a record of 23 burglaries and has already served several jail terms, including stretches of five and six years for burglary and robbery, Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Gibson told Hindle the victim had been extremely vulnerable.
He said the defendant posed a high risk of reoffending and there was a chance of other people being left with the misery Mr Lavin suffered.
The judge said: “It’s clearly a case where there has to be an element of deterrence in sentencing.”
Sara Dodd, prosecuting, said Mr Lavin had had a leg amputated after a stroke, was paralysed on one side, and relied on a wheelchair. He was helped by carers, family and friends.
The court heard another resident was burgled in August, knew the defendant and asked him if he could get a TV as his had been stolen.
Paul Lawton, for Hindle, said he accepted he had the stolen goods and taken them to the neighbour.
The defendant, who knew he was going to prison, had been addicted to drugs and was so institutionalised he found it almost impossible to cope when he was released from custody.
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