A halloween mask-wearing burglar who plagued his community with a staggering 65 offences is behind bars today.
Ian Walker broke into the home of a 78-year-old man twice in two weeks - once while the elderly victim was at home.
The 45-year-old wore a frightening Halloween mask he had bought from a pound shop in a string of break-ins.
He admitted a catalogue of burglaries, attempted burglaries and thefts in the Loftus and Liverton Mines area where he lived over a seven-month period.
A judge told the masked raider it was fortunate he did not give any of his victims a heart attack, putting him in the dock on a murder charge.
Walker was given a merciful prison sentence of two years and four months at Teesside Crown Court today.
The judge accepted that the prolific burglar’s mind was affected at the time by depression following the loss of his mother and sister.
He gave Walker the greatest credit for owning up to so many crimes which would not otherwise have been solved.
Walker, of St Martins Close, Liverton Mines, admitted five burglaries and asked for 60 more offences to be taken into account.
The court heard how Walker broke into the 78-year-old man’s home on Victoria Terrace, Loftus once while he was out on August 13 last year stealing £620 cash and DVDs.
He went back again at 4am on August 27 while the pensioner, who lived alone, was sleeping and stole another £8 and more DVDs.
He forced his way into a 46-year-old mum’s home on the same road on August 22 and September 19, each time at 4am.
On one occasion she disturbed him and hit him as he pushed past her, said prosecutor David Crook.
He was arrested after a 61-year-old man punched him in the arm as he fled his home on Lingberry Garth, Loftus, wearing a ski mask according to the householder.
The other 60 offences were all committed between June and December last year.
The victims spoke of disgust, worry, anxiety, nightmares and sleep problems since the burglaries in impact statements read out in court.
Walker, who had no relevant previous convictions, came to be sentenced with a character reference from his parish priest.
Andrew White, defending, said remorseful Walker wanted above all to apologise to the victims of his crimes.
He said Walker had apologised to some of the victims in person, wanted to repay them and offered to carry out free gardening.
He said the mask was not used to frighten and there was no ransacking or violence.
“Not only is it out of character, it’s also mystifying as to why a man of that age, of that character should suddenly embark on this spree,” added Mr White.
A psychiatric report highlighted Walker’s family bereavements and depression.
Since his condition was treated - and since his arrest - there had been no further offending and he worked voluntarily in an animal shelter.
Mr White made a “plea of mercy” for a suspended prison sentence, saying jail would throw Walker back to a depressive episode.
The judge, Recorder Eric Elliott QC, said Walker had to go to prison.
He said of the victims: “It’s very fortunate that they didn’t suffer further physical conditions such as a potential heart attack.
“You might very well have been facing a charge of murder,” he told Walker.
He said Walker had been a hard-working and decent man and took into account his recent personal problems.
He added: “In normal circumstances you would never have dreamt of getting involved in this activity.”
He passed a 28-month jail term on each offence, making them concurrent with each other “as an act of mercy”.
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