Declan Wilson, a 20-year-old burglar, was caught after he left his DNA on a cough medicine bottle during a break-in at a vulnerable woman's home in Longbenton, Tyneside. The victim, a 66-year-old woman who suffers from seizures, was friends with Wilson's mother and had known him since childhood.
Burglary and Attempted Car Theft
In the early hours of April 13, 2026, the victim heard a car engine starting and looked out her window to see her Ford Fiesta being taken. She rushed outside, opened the driver's door, and tried to grab the keys from Wilson. He jumped out of the car and fled.
Upon returning inside, she found drawers in the living room and kitchen open. Her purse had been taken from her bag and was open on the table. Wilson had stolen her medication and taken a swig from a bottle of cough medicine, leaving his DNA on it.
Victim's Statement
In a statement read to Newcastle Crown Court, the victim said: "Darren has known me for a long time and knows how vulnerable I am. I'm horrified that he's done this to me. He should be punished for his actions. It's disgusting what he's done."
Prosecutor Freddie Adams told the court that the defendant was known to the victim, as she had known him since he was a child and was friends with his mother.
Previous Burglary and CCTV Evidence
Wilson was already on bail for a previous burglary when he committed the offences. On April 2, 2025, a man saw Wilson removing his partner's motorbike from a garage in Jesmond. The motorbike was found abandoned in a bush, and Wilson was seen running out of a garden and detained. He initially denied involvement, claiming he saw two other males with the motorbike.
CCTV footage also showed Wilson attempting to gain access to a shop by trying to push open the rear doors without success.
Defense and Sentencing
Jonathan Cousins, defending, said Wilson had a difficult childhood, with his father dying when he was very young and his mother having her own difficulties. He had a history of substance misuse and alcohol consumption. When employed in demolition, he stayed out of trouble, but after losing that job, he fell back in with local acquaintances.
Cousins described Wilson as "easily led" and said he had no memory of the most recent burglary as he was under the influence of drugs at the time.
Recorder Richard Herrmann sentenced Wilson to 22 months in prison, noting that the victim had the persistence to open the car door and grab the keys while Wilson fled. He added: "She realised you had been in the house while she had been presumably upstairs in her bed. You even had a swig of some medication that was in a bottle and, on that bottle, left your DNA. She's known you for a long time. You know just how vulnerable she is."
Wilson, of Merlin Place, Longbenton, admitted two counts of burglary, attempted burglary, and attempted theft of a motor vehicle. He appeared in court via video link from Durham prison.
