Callum Warne-Cleave jailed at Bradford Crown Court

Callum Warne-Cleave said he was “really sorry” for entering a flat whilst a man was asleep in bed, and for later kicking a police officer after first trying to headbutt him when he was arrested.

He blamed his actions on “evil” drug use.

Prosecutor Jessica Lister told the court that Warne-Cleave, 23, entered a flat in Olicana House, on Chapel Street in Bradford, on June 9 this year.

Olicana House in Little Germany

She said the male occupant, who was in bed, heard his door open and was “startled”.

She said he felt the presence of somebody in his room and when he got out of bed noticed that a coat and wallet, containing £600 in cash, a driving licence and a bank card, had been taken.

The police were called and officers viewed CCTV that showed Warne-Cleave going into the building and towards the flat and coming out with the missing items.

He was arrested and taken into custody.

Miss Lister said: “He was difficult for the entire period that he was with the officers. They noticed that he appeared to be under the influence of something. His pupils were dilated, and his jaw was gurning.”

Whilst in custody he made repeated attempts to assault the police by attempting to headbutt one before kicking backwards and landing a blow on an officer’s leg.

The stolen items were later recovered from a balcony below the flat that was burgled.

The court that Warne-Cleave had a lengthy record of offences, including burglary, and had previously served a 33-month sentence in prison.

He pleaded guilty to burglary and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Mitigating, Rodney Ferm said Warne-Cleave was “simply distraught” and said he accepted he had let himself down.

The case was heard at Bradford Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

He said unemployment had contributed to his actions, and that had he been in work he would not have committed the offences.

And despite having “a terrible record” he had been out of trouble since 2020.

Sentencing Warne-Cleave to a total of 918 days – or just over two-and-a-half years - in prison for both offences, His Honour Judge Jonathan Rose took note of his “appalling record” and that he had previously spent time in jail for burglary.

He said: “The occupant of this house – the victim of your crime – was awake and aware of your presence in the room.

“It will have been terrifying.”

He added: “Your behaviour with the police is inexcusable.”

Speaking directly to the judge via video link from HMP Leeds, a tearful Warne-Cleave said: “I am really sorry about what’s happened, and after this you will never be seeing me again.

“It’s a mistake what I’ve done. Drugs lead to stupid stuff. Drugs are evil, they do dirty things to people. They make you do things you don’t want to do.”

Warne-Cleave was one of almost 900 people arrested by Bradford’s District Crime Team (DCT) for burglary in the last year.

The DCT was formed in April 2023 to combat a rise in the number of burglaries in the area.

In the last year, 79 people have been charged with more than 100 offences.

Head of the DCT in Bradford District, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Atkinson, said it had made “significant progress” but there was more the team wanted to achieve.

He said: “I would like to send a message to the people who think it’s acceptable to break into people’s homes and businesses.

“We are committed to listening to our communities and will do everything we can to get justice for the number of people who are victims of burglary.”