Kyle Brownlee, a 26-year-old from South Tyneside, has been sentenced to 24 months in prison after being caught in the act of burgling an unoccupied flat while armed with a kitchen knife. He appeared via videolink from HMP Durham at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday morning, having pleaded guilty to affray, burglary, and two counts of possession of a bladed article.
Caught Red-Handed with Knife
The court heard that on February 18, 2026, Brownlee was burgling an unoccupied flat in South Shields alongside another man. Upon arrest, police found several items of clothing, an Xbox controller, and a TV remote in his pockets. More critically, a kitchen knife was discovered in his coat.
Recorder Judge Knox addressed Brownlee directly, stating: "You had yet again a knife in your possession. It wasn't used, but you went out burgling at night armed with it and the danger and evil of this is if things had turned unpleasant, you were in a position and prepared to use that knife."
Previous Convictions and Additional Offences
Brownlee also faced a separate count of affray related to an incident in June, during which he was in possession of a machete. The court noted that he has 20 previous convictions spanning 42 offences since 2015.
Before sentencing, Brownlee addressed the judge, claiming he had participated in trauma, alcohol, and drug workshops while in HMP Durham. He said: "I have been addressing all of my issues while I have been in here."
Sentence and Restraining Order
Judge Knox imposed a 24-month custodial sentence, along with a 10-year restraining order against the victims of both the burglary and the affray. The judge explained: "The offences you committed are worth much more and I am only reducing the total sentence because of the principal or totality, and because you are a young man who needs to rehabilitate yourself and get out of being constantly in prison."
Brownlee, of Albany Street East, South Shields, will serve his sentence at HMP Durham.
