West Yorkshire PoliceA particularly illegal case of ‘what goes around, comes around’ occurred recently as a prolific burglar had his house broken into while he was behind bars.
40-year-old Christopher Hastings was arrested for a burglary which took place in the early hours of May 3.
The father reportedly entered a house in Leeds while the residents were asleep and stole a rucksack which contained a bank card, a national insurance card, mobile phones and tickets worth £1,000.
Always take the key out of the lock and keep it in a safe place – do not leave keys in reach of a letterbox, a cat flap, or on view through a window https://t.co/uplqb9C1yo pic.twitter.com/aqh474o7am
— West Yorkshire Police (@WestYorksPolice) June 24, 2019
Leeds Live report Hastings used the bank card to buy things in a shop shortly afterwards. He was arrested after being recognised on CCTV footage taken as he used the card.
Leeds Crown Court heard he also stole £252 worth of alcohol from Morrisons in the Merrion Centre in Leeds city centre, where he entered the store with a woman and put bottles of spirits into a bag before walking out without paying.
The 40-year-old pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and fraud in court. He has 50 previous convictions, including for 39 offences of burglary.
Don't leave valuables such as keys or money on display in your home, they might encourage a burglar to break in https://t.co/uplqb9C1yo pic.twitter.com/apTWTJ0KH5
— West Yorkshire Police (@WestYorksPolice) June 22, 2019
Richard Reed, who was mitigating, explained how Hastings recently got a taste of his own medicine as his council house was targeted by a criminal.
Reed said:
He now knows what it is like to be burgled.
His property has been cleaned out. Obviously has some insight now to know what it is like to be on the receiving end.
West Yorkshire PoliceJudge Christopher Batty said how having his own house burgled may teach Hastings a lesson, saying:
Going into people’s homes is something that you do. You now know a bit about being on the receiving end of that.
People are entitled to feel safe and secure and to keep their possessions in their own home. People who take those possessions have to accept custodial sentences.
Reed said Hastings suffered with post-traumatic stress disorder after being stabbed with a samurai sword in an unprovoked attack, causing injuries to his bowel.
Make sure everyone in your home gets into the habit of being more secure. Lock doors and windows and keep valuables out of sight https://t.co/uplqb9C1yo pic.twitter.com/F2IVrTREHh
— West Yorkshire Police (@WestYorksPolice) June 26, 2019
Reed explained how this led to him getting wrapped up in burglary, saying:
Due to the delays in getting counselling he started taking drugs and that led to the slippery slope of becoming involved in burglary and fraud.
The judge sentenced Hastings to two years and five months in jail for the burglary.
West Yorkshire Police are urging residents to keep their windows and doors locked and to keep possessions out of sight to help prevent burglary.
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to [email protected].
Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.