TWO burglars who sneaked into a residential home for the elderly at night to force a television off the wall and steal it have been jailed at Bradford Crown Court.

Reece Douglas and Naomi Marum also raided bottles of alcohol and raffle prizes out of a storeroom in the foyer area and rooted through drawers.

The court heard today that the burglary took place at supported living accommodation for elderly people in Halifax on April 4.

The police then went to Cash Converters in Halifax where Douglas and another male had tried to sell the television set. CCTV from the residential home showed the burglars entering the building and Marum was identified.

Douglas, 55, of no fixed address, refused to leave the police cell to answer any questions following his arrest. Marum, 28, of Brougham Road, Boothtown, Halifax, told officers she went into the home but denied stealing anything.

Both pleaded guilty to the burglary.

Marum also admitted a string of shop thefts in March in breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CRIMBO).

She had 32 previous convictions for 77 offences.

Saf Salam, for Douglas, said he had been in custody in HMP Leeds for more than four months. Although he was homeless at the time, he now had an address in Halifax.

No one came into the foyer while the burglars were there and thankfully the television was recovered and returned.

Douglas, who was struggling with substance misuse at the time, had 31 previous convictions but just one for burglary.

For Marum, Graham O’Sullivan said she too had been remanded in custody for several months.

Her role in the burglary was peripheral but she conceded that she was part of the enterprise. Since being held on remand in HMP New Hall she was off illegal drugs. Judge Sophie McKone said it was a very mean burglary from the home of elderly and vulnerable people who would have really valued their television set.

Marum was a prolific shoplifter who was offending in Halifax town centre in March in breach of a CRIMBO banning her from the area.

Douglas was in breach of a community order for driving while disqualified.

Judge McKone said Marum had been in the grip of a drugs addiction. She had suffered a dreadful childhood and had mental health problems.

Douglas was jailed for 20 months.

Marum was sentenced to a total of two years and two months' imprisonment.