A man who smashed his way into a house to burgle it at dead of night told the police he was checking on the elderly occupant, Bradford Crown Court heard.
David Bates, a convicted housebreaker, came out of the property wearing gloves and holding a torch after officers said they would send in a police dog.
Bates, 27, of Long Lee Lane, Keighley, targeted a nearby home in Moor View Grove at 3.10am because the owner was away, the court was told.
He pleaded guilty to burglary on January 6.
He was today sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, with 240 hours of unpaid work.
Bates had 22 previous convictions for 38 offences, including house burglary.
His barrister, Abigail Langford, mitigating, said he had a baby daughter and acted out of financial pressure.
Judge David Hatton QC said it was “a determined attack” on the property.
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