A HEROIN addict burglar, who turned to crime at 12, has been jailed for breaking in the house of a man while he was at home.
Adam Haywood took a PlayStation 3 computer and three games from a house in Collison Street, Hyson Green, on April 6.
He fled, abandoning a flat-screen TV set, when he realised there was someone home. The occupier was in bed watching television at 12.15am.
Hearing a loud bang downstairs, he went to investigate, Nottingham Crown Court heard.
His was shocked to discover his back door open and his television in the kitchen.
Jim Metcalf, prosecuting, said: "A neighbour came round and said he saw a man run off in the direction of Birkin Avenue. Police went to the address and searched it and found a PlayStation and some computer games in Adam Haywood's room."
Haywood, 23, of Birkin Avenue, was arrested the following Wednesday, April 10, and admitted the offence, saying he committed it to pay for drugs.
The PlayStation and three games were returned to the owner.
At court, he pleaded guilty to the burglary and asked for two other burglaries, in Player Street, Radford, and Oldknow Street, Hyson Green, to be taken in to consideration. Recorder Mark Wall QC sentenced him to three years in jail, of which he will serve half and spend the rest on licence.
He told Haywood: "You have pleaded guilty to an offence of burglary in April this year and admitted two other offences you ask me to take into consideration.
"The burglary is a serious burglary, as you are well aware. It happened at night time, with the occupier in bed, who was disturbed by the sound of you moving about downstairs. Fortunately, the item you stole were recovered afterwards.
"You have a large number of previous convictions and, in particular, you are a prolific dwelling house burglar."
Haywood qualified for a minimum three-year custodial sentence under the Government's "three strikes and you're out" policy because he already has three burglary convictions.
He also has convictions for violence and burglaries.
Emma Coverley, for Haywood, said his first five convictions happened when he was aged 12 or 13. He was also expelled from school when he was 13.
"Something has clearly gone substantially wrong in his life if, as a child, he is appearing before the court on several occasions," she said.
