A Thornaby burglar has been jailed for three years after leaving a woman "petrified" when she woke to find him standing over her bed at 2am. Daniel Pattison broke into her home on Heslop Street and snatched her phone when she tried to call for help. The woman, who was vaguely known to the intruder, shouted at him to get out, but he replied: "Don't worry, it's only me", Teesside Crown Court heard.
Break-in during the early hours
In the early hours of July 6, Pattison entered the home. The victim, who described him as someone she had "bought butter from in the street", used her landline to call Cleveland Police after leaving the door open as she was expecting her husband.
Police officers found the 31-year-old with items he had stolen, including an iPad, jewellery and the mobile phone, and he also had a lock knife on him. He had additionally stolen cash found in an unlocked parked car.
Victim's statement read in court
The homeowner broke down in tears as she read out her statement in court, which reads: "I'm struggling to sleep - all I can see is the face of the male who stood over me. The slightest sound or movement makes me feel petrified all over again."
Pattison, a dad-of-two who kicked an officer in the shin when he was arrested, pleaded guilty to burglary, assaulting an emergency worker, possession of a bladed article in public, theft and motor vehicle interference. He has previous convictions for burglary in both 2024 and 2025.
Judge's sentencing remarks
Pattison's barrister, Kate Clark, said the former mechanic "is devastated" at hearing the victim speak in court, noting he has two young children and "he does see the other side of what's happened in the cold light of day." On the impact of illegal substances on his actions, she said: "Drugs seem to have got hold of him after he lost his job. He broke up with his partner and sought solace in drug use - crack cocaine and zopiclone."
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Richard Clews said the victim is "seriously and understandable traumatised" by the burglary, and jailed Pattison, of Cobden Street in Thornaby, for three years.
