Hartlepool 'zombie' raider on valium terrifies elderley Billingham women on burglary spree

A man has been locked up for stumbling into the bedroom of an elderly woman “like a zombie” - on the night he burgled the houses of two pensioners.

James Smart, 23, had taken so many valium tablets “he couldn’t remember” breaking into a 69-year-old woman’s house on Edge Hill Way in Billingham.

He then walked a short distance and broke into a 76-year-old woman’s house on Hastings Way, in the early hours of August 3 this year.

Judge Peter Bowers jailed Smart, of Tristram Avenue, Hartlepool, for thirty three months for each offence to run concurrently.

Prosecuting, David Crook told Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday that Smart had first went to the Edge Hill Way house, stealing a tablet computer, a steam cleaner, and other items.

He had then staggered to Hastings Way, broke into the house, and woke the 76-year-old resident at around 4.55am.

Mr Crook said: “She could make out his face and was shocked to see him. She asked who he was and he answered ‘Steven Michael’, looking and sounding very confused, before he left the room. He was described as looking like a zombie.

“He stole a wallet and a purse, with £160 in total.

“The victim now says she is scared to stay in her own home.

“When arrested, he told police in interview that he couldn’t remember much after lunchtime on that day because of the amount of valium he had taken.”

The victim of the first burglary located her steam cleaner, which had Smart’s fingerprint on, and three bags taken from her porch, in her garden the next morning.

Smart had pleaded guilty to the burglaries at the first opportunity, and appeared in court via video link from custody.

Smart, who was given a 52 week sentence for burglary in September 2010, asked the judge to sentence him without the need of a pre-sentence report.

Mitigating, Duncan McReddie said: “He is full of remorse for what he has done, and that is why he wants to be sentenced today.

“His life is perhaps chaotic and unstructured, and although it is not an excuse, he had taken so many sleeping tablets that he does not remember what happened.”

Handing Smart a 33 month sentence for each burglary, to run concurrently, Judge Bowers said: “The main problem when you burgle someone’s house is the effect you leave on the occupier, especially when they confront you during the burglary. You and I have no idea of how they will feel.”