A serial burglar has been jailed after terrifying a mother and her young son just days after a judge gave him a chance to stay out of trouble. Kieron Hardy, 34, of Brunswick Village, Newcastle, had been handed a deferred sentence for attempted burglary, common assault, and theft. But within two weeks, he broke into a home in Newcastle while the mother and her son were inside.
Judge Expresses Regret
At Newcastle Crown Court, the judge said he regretted giving Hardy a chance, as it allowed him to target his latest victim. The court heard that on April 15, the woman was at her home on Jubilee Crescent, Coxlodge, when she heard a noise and saw her front door handle move. She and her son then heard noises from the back of the house and hid under the door. They later saw a hand poking through the living room window.
Victim's Fear
The prosecutor, Katie Spence, said the woman was afraid for her safety and her son's, so she ran upstairs and locked themselves in a bedroom. Hardy followed and tried to enter the room. The mother pleaded, "Please leave us alone, what do you want?" but could not understand the reply. She alerted a neighbor, who called the police. CCTV showed Hardy forcing open the window. He stole £300 from the children's bedrooms.
Recorder Paul Reid read the victim impact statement, noting the woman had difficulty speaking and breathing, felt guilty her 12-year-old son was present, and that he had nightmares. The son thought Hardy carried a knife, but it was a tool.
Hardy's Record
Hardy, with 70 previous convictions including several for burglary, pleaded guilty to burglary. He was jailed for 56 months, also covering the earlier offenses where he stole a motorbike and punched the owner, and attempted to break into a house.
Recorder Reid said, "Had I not deferred sentence, he would not have burgled the home. I gave him a chance he seemed willing to accept, but weeks later he committed another serious offense." He added, "I regret deferring sentence upon you. Your response was lamentable."
Defense Statement
Jennifer Coxon, defending, said Hardy had received bad news about his mother and took tablets from his brother, leading to hallucinations. He recalled little of the burglary and was disappointed to be back in prison. He now works as a cleaner in prison, attends church, and is on methadone.
