Man burgled house and drove dangerously two weeks later

Edward Nelson, of Beacon Road, Wibsey, Bradford, appeared before a judge at the city’s crown court on Thursday and was locked up for a total of 34 months after he admitted house burglary, handling a stolen car, dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

Judge Ahmed Nadim banned him from driving for three years and imposed a five-year restraining order which prohibits him from contacting the victim of the burglary or going within one hundred yards of her home.

At the time of the offending, Nelson was subject to a community order imposed in June this year, the court was told.

Judge Nadim said he had broken into the property on August 13 while the complainant was away from home and stolen items including two laptops and an Xbox.

The householder felt unsettled when she returned and did not feel comfortable sleeping on her own at the address.

“That illustrates the damage that is inflicted by men such as you,” the judge told Nelson.

“You engender a sense of insecurity in the victim of your offending and that is why burglary as an offence is viewed as seriously as it is.”

On August 27, Nelson was caught behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Insignia that had been stolen during a burglary in Shipley nine hours before.

Judge Nadim described how, despite having two passengers in the car, Nelson failed to stop for police officers.

During the subsequent pursuit down Killinghall Road in Bradford he drove at high speeds, mounted pavements and was nearly involved in a collision with a learner driver.

Judge Nadim said it was a mercy that the consequences were not more dire.

Nelson had 24 previous convictions on his criminal record that dated back to 2004.

Safter Salam, solicitor advocate for Nelson, said his client was realistic about his sentence.

He had written a letter expressing his apology for his offending.

Judge Nadim revoked the existing community order and ordered Nelson to take an extended driving test at the end of his ban.