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Burglar jailed for breaking into two homes
A burglar has been locked up after breaking into two houses in his home village in a few days.
Daryl Smeatham, who was the subject of a deferred sentence for burglaries carried out last year, targeted the two houses in Horden on June 20 and June 23, Durham Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Richard Cowen said: "The tenant had just moved in to the first house in Ninth Street, but was not physically in the property at the time.
"Furniture was moved around and household goods were taken.
"Three days later, a house in Rothbury Avenue, Horden, was burgled while the occupants slept upstairs.
"Among the items taken was a computer, computer games and military memorabilia belonging to the male occupant of the house, who is a retired soldier.
"The family car was taken and later recovered after some damage was done to it."
The court was told police suspected Smeatham and footprints at the scene matched shoes owned by him.
Smeatham, 25, of Eleventh Street, Horden, admitted two offences of burglary. He has previous convictions for burglary.
Ron Mitchell, defending, said: "Immediate and frank admissions were made to the police, and he has pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity."
Judge John Evans jailed Smeatham for two years and nine months.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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