Sunderland burglar who 'squared up' to young mum who bravely confronted him is jailed

John Ferguson crept into the Silksworth home and quickly pinched the keys to the Ford Puma that was parked outside – but his deception was spotted by an alert neighbour who raised the alarm.

The victim then looked outside and saw 25-year-old crook sat in the driver’s seat desperately trying to press the start button.

Ferguson released the handbrake and the car moved 8ft down the street before the victim managed to stop the thief in his tracks.

Aware that the game was nearly up, Ferguson got out of the vehicle and started to scurry down the street but the mum quickly got out her phone and took a number of pictures of the intruder.

After a disgruntled Ferguson threatened violence, the ‘shaken’ victim backed off and later rang police, who recognised the offender because he had a distinctive cut under his right eye.

Ferguson, of Robert Street, Sunderland, was arrested and has now pleaded guilty to burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, driving without a licence, no insurance use and failing to provide a specimen.

On Monday, June 14, Ferguson, who has 34 convictions for 62 offences since 2009, was jailed for nearly two-and-a-half years (876 days) and banned from the roads for over five years (1,912 days).

In a statement prepared for court, Ferguson’s victim revealed the events of February 3 this year have had a profound effect on her.

She said: “This incident has left me shaken and frightened – someone has been in my home.

“I have young children and they could have been at home. I was very lucky to have not been hurt but I did fear violence when this male squared up to me. No one has the right to come into my home.”

Detective Sergeant Chris Raper-Smith said: “I would like to thank the victim of this case who showed incredible bravery when confronted with an intruder who had entered her home.

“She instinctively pulled out her phone and took pictures of the offender – and that quick decision has helped put Ferguson back in jail, where he deserves to be.”

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