Door-to-door salesman who burgled and ransacked North Ormesby home is jailed

Robert Gray forced his way into the house and carried out a 'messy search', taking a water boiler out of the loft, jewellery and a laptop

A door-to-door salesman who burgled and ransacked a man’s home has been jailed for the first time.

Robert Gray, 27, got into the back yard of the home on Warton Street, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, forced his way into the house and carried out a “messy search”.

The householder later returned to find his home “trashed”, a water boiler taken out of the loft, jewellery and a laptop missing and his back gate and door damaged.

The cost in stolen possessions and damage was estimated at more than £1,500, Teesside Crown Court heard from prosecutor Ian Mullarkey.

The intruder had thrown an egg at a window and left his blood at the scene on March 5 to 6 last year.

The blood matched the DNA profile of Gray, who knew the householder.

When he was arrested he denied committing the burglary. He said he’d been at the home earlier in the year, had a fight and cut his hand, explaining the blood.

When the victim disputed this, Gray claimed he was lying and trying to “stitch him up”, and accused him of inventing the burglary.

Gray, of Ryedale Street, Middlesbrough, later admitted the burglary, the first on his record.

Andrew White, defending, said Gray had no memory of the crime whatsoever because of drink and drugs.

“He was constantly off his head, he tells me, at that point in his life,” said Mr White.

He said there was no planning or deliberate targeting and the occupier was not home so there were no threats or violence.

Gray since kept out of trouble, came off drugs, his alcohol consumption was “minimal” and he’d moved away from criminal associations.

He now worked in door-to-door sales and had a supportive partner who was pregnant with his child and gave him an ultimatum to give up drink, drugs and crime.

“His greatest wish is to be a good father to that child,” added Mr White.

“He’s decided it’s time to grow up. He’s determined to do so.”

Judge Peter Bowers said: “I still think I’ve got to send out a message that any sort of burglary cannot be tolerated.”

He jailed Gray for 12 months.