A burglar who broke into a primary school was found hiding in a bush with socks pulled over his hands. James Dean, 45, told officers he 'didn't give a f***' upon learning he had stolen from children and called teachers 'grasses'.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Wednesday that Merseyside Police were called to St Peter's Catholic Primary School in Noctorum, Wirral, shortly before midnight on May 24 after a teacher living opposite was alerted by security alarms. Officers found Dean hiding beneath a hedge in a nearby garden with socks on his hands.
Stolen items and damage
Prosecuting barrister Olivia Randell said Dean was found with stolen items including the school's CCTV hard drive and two cash boxes. A total of £652.16 in cash was recovered from him. He confessed: 'I'm nicked. I done it.'
The main door of the school had to be replaced at a cost of more than £7,000 after being kicked with such force that its frame became dislodged. Internal fire doors sustained £1,500 damage, and the CCTV system cost around £1,000 to replace.
Previous offences
Dean had earlier burgled Sylvan Home Care Services, Gossip Coffee and Wine Bar, and Voltage bar on Allport Lane in Bromborough on April 5, causing over £4,000 in damage. He has 59 previous convictions for 127 offences, including more than a dozen burglaries.
Chris Macmaster, defending, said Dean has diagnoses of depression, anxiety and ADHD, with a history of psychotic symptoms including auditory hallucinations. He said Dean has become institutionalised after spending much of his adult life in custody.
Sentence
Dean pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and asked for three further burglaries to be taken into account. Appearing via video link from HMP Liverpool, he was jailed for two years and eight months.
Sentencing, Judge Katherine Pierpoint said: 'I hope it is right that, in the sober light of day, you are thoroughly ashamed that you broke into a school where you have family members who go to or have been to that school.'
