At an earlier hearing, he claimed that he had permission to go into the home, a court heard
Mark Connah pictured outside Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
Telltale blood samples left on a window sill trapped an intruder who shamelessly raided another man’s home and helped himself to items inside there, a court heard. Mark Connah, 49, of Arcon Drive, off Anlaby Road, west Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted burglary between December 1 and January 14.
James O’Connor, prosecuting, told Hull Crown Court that a woman was asked by a man if she would keep an eye on his home in Woburn Street, west Hull. She later noticed footprints on the window sill area and, on January 13, she saw a black bin near a broken window.
The lights were on inside the premises. She had left them off during an earlier visit on December 2. “Once inside, she noticed that property had clearly been disturbed,” said Mr O’Connor.
A head board had been dismantled. The man’s clothes were missing. There was a footprint on a window sill as well as what the woman thought was blood.
Tools and a PlayStation were missing. Police investigated and blood on the window sill was matched to Connah. He was arrested on February 3. The missing items, valued at £359, included an air fryer, a toaster, tools, a PlayStation, a lamp and clothes.
“There’s clearly some degree of planning or organisation in getting into the window in that manner,” said Mr O’Connor. Connah knew both the man and the woman.
At an earlier hearing, he claimed that he had permission to go into the premises. During police interview, Connah made no comment to questions. He had small cuts on his hands at the time.
He had convictions for 75 previous offences, including for dishonesty.
His most recent conviction was on January 26 for shop theft. He had convictions for theft from a dwelling in 2013 and non-domestic burglary on July 28 last year.
Connah told the court that he had been in custody on remand for about 12 weeks. He was going to go back and live at his mother’s home when he was released from prison.
“It’s a fresh start for me,” he said. “I just want this over and done with.” He was currently taking a blocker to help him come off drugs.
Connah originally denied the burglary and elected trial by jury but he changed his plea to guilty. He later said that he wanted to vacate that plea and deny the matter again.
He claimed that a previous barrister had put him under pressure to plead guilty. An application to vacate his guilty plea was refused, however.
Connah was given 15 days’ rehabilitation and a three-month residence order.
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