A burglar has been branded 'Britain's daftest' after he stared directly into a Ring doorbell camera while attempting to break into a home in Worcestershire. Sam Norman, 35, was caught on camera in Pinvin on July 10 as his hood slipped down, revealing his full face to the device.
Video footage shows Norman rummaging through a wheelie bin before finding a rotary dryer pole, which he used to poke at the security camera in a failed attempt to move it. The thief, wearing red gloves, was later identified by police officers who reviewed the footage.
During the early morning burglary, Norman came face to face with the homeowner inside the property, which was under renovation. He apologised before fleeing on his bike empty-handed. When officers attended his home, he tried to escape but was caught after a short foot chase.
Norman pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and admitted to two other break-ins. At Worcester Crown Court on Monday, he was handed an 18-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months and a 12-week curfew from 9pm to 8.30am.
A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: 'There was a confrontation in the garden. He activated the Ring doorbell camera and then tried to move the camera. The homeowner challenged him and he apologised and cycled off. He did not get away with any property.'
