A burglar who broke into a Newcastle city centre café and student accommodation within days of each other has been jailed. Daniel Anderson stole headphones, a backpack, cash and other belongings after breaking into Tiny Tiny in February this year.
He was soon arrested and released on bail, but within days broke into a city centre student flat and stole a PlayStation and games. The 48-year-old has now been put behind bars.
Court Sentencing
On Tuesday, Anderson, of no fixed address, appeared at Newcastle Moot Hall to be sentenced for two counts of burglary. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
The court heard that the first burglary was carried out on February 17 this year at Tiny Tiny in Newcastle. Neil Jones, prosecuting, said that the cafe's chef was notified by a member of staff that belongings had been stolen.
He said: "He checked his bag in the staff room and found two sets of headphones and clothing had been taken." The court was told that the chef had a live tracking function on his headphones, which showed they were at St Lawrence House in Byker - where Anderson was living at the time.
Items belonging to other members of staff had also been stolen and Anderson was arrested at St Lawrence House. The majority of the goods were recovered.
Second Burglary
Anderson was released on conditional bail, but on February 21 carried out another burglary - this time at a student flat on New Bridge Street. Anderson stole a PlayStation, games and a headset.
Mr Jones said: "Another student saw two males outside of the flat and saw one climb in a window. CCTV on Falconar Street showed two males at the burgled area then running away carrying items."
Anderson was later identified from the CCTV footage by police. The court heard Anderson had 29 previous convictions for 61 offences, many of which were for theft or burglary.
Defence and Sentence
Mairi Clancy, defending, said Anderson "expresses a significant degree of remorse". She said: "He fell victim to drug use as a young man and has struggled to overcome that addiction. His addiction is an illness that is destroying his life."
Ms Clancy told the court that Anderson is not a violent person and is an "opportunistic thief". She added: "He doesn't want to live this life."
Recorder Brian Whitehead jailed Anderson for 876 days.
