A serial burglar with a long history of drug addiction went on a lengthy and determined crime spree in the early hours of the morning – just over an hour after being released by police at midnight.
By 1.10am, regular offender George Atkinson was already raiding a house where a woman lived with her three children. The break-in was the first offence in a “catalogue” of crime and it left the woman “extremely anxious” and her daughter “very scared” by what happened, Hull Crown Court heard.
Atkinson, 31, of Colenso Street, off St George’s Road, west Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted burglary, four offences of attempted burglary, four offences of theft and three offences of fraud, all committed on May 11. He asked for another offence of attempted burglary to be considered.
Blaise Morris, prosecuting, said that police released Atkinson on bail at midnight but, by 1.10am, he was committing the first of a spree of offences in the Garden Village area of Hull.
They included a burglary at the home of a woman and three children at 1.10am. The break-in had left the woman extremely anxious and her daughter very scared.
During other offences, Atkinson tried to break into premises and he stole and fraudulently used bank cards. He had convictions for 29 previous offences and he was a “third-strike” burglar.
Hannah Turner, mitigating, said that all the offences were committed the same night after Atkinson had been released from custody. “He doesn’t recall any of the events,” said Miss Turner.
Atkinson had a chronic drug addiction and he had suffered this for the vast majority of his life. “He has been taking crack cocaine and heroin for much of his life,” said Miss Turner. “He has spent much of the last 10 years in and out of custody.
Keep up to date with all the latest crime and court news from Hull with our free newsletter
“It appears that he is doing rather well in custody. He is drug-free. He is hoping that, this time around, he can make progress on his drug addiction. He has been recalled on his previous six-year sentence until June 2028. He is working in the kitchens while in custody.”
Judge John Thackray KC told Atkinson: “This catalogue of offending occurred after you had been released on police bail at about midnight on May 11. You were at the time subject to licence and you were subject to a community order, the magistrates having given you a golden opportunity, despite further offences, to rehabilitate yourself. You have a bad record.”
Atkinson was jailed for five years.
Get breaking news in Hull straight to your phone
