Nuneaton burglar jailed for more than three years
He was caught red-handed with a screwdriver.
A Bedworth man who denied being involved in a burglary despite being caught red-handed by officers with a screwdriver and another man’s property has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Police were called to Prince’s Street in Nuneaton around 2.30am on 9 May after reports the door of a house was being kicked in and a man was inside.
Officers quickly arrived and found Iain Parkhouse outside the house with some of the victim’s personal belongings including items of his clothing.
He initially tried to fool police by saying he knew the victim and had stopped to see what was going on.
But after searching him, they found a screwdriver and a knife – both of which were seized – and he was arrested.
The 43-year-old continued to maintain his innocence throughout interview but ahead of a trial starting, Parkhouse, of Weston Lane, who was initially charged with aggravated burglary, changed his plea and was instead convicted of burglary.
He was sentenced to 42 months imprisonment at Warwick Crown Court on Tuesday (31 October).
Detective Constable Samir Hassan said: “Our response officers were quickly on scene and caught Parkhouse red-handed outside the house.
"From the get-go he tried to fool us into thinking he was friends with the victim, but his lies didn’t wash.
“Burglaries have an incredibly distressing impact on victims and the offence is completely unacceptable.
"I hope this sentence goes some way to not only reassuring the public that we take burglaries seriously, but also that we will always work to bring those responsible before the courts.
“I’m delighted justice has been done in this case and Parkhouse will be able to reflect on his stupidity and how things could have been so different while behind bars.”