'Callous' burglar jailed after £50k home raid

JAKE LEES

A THIEF from Failsworth who stole almost £50,000 worth of items, including car keys and cash, from a vulnerable man has been jailed.

Jake Lees (22), of Hedges Street, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday to two years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to a catalogue of offences.

He was also disqualified from driving for two years and seven-and-a-half months after pleading guilty to burglary, handling stolen goods, dangerous driving, driving with no insurance and driving without a full licence.

In February last year, Lees broke into the Milnrow home of a vulnerable man who requires round-the-clock care whilst he and his carer were asleep.

He stole the keys to a car and a van as well as numerous valuables including clothes, jewellery, cash and electronic devices.

He left the scene with the stolen goods before returning some time later, at which point a member of the public spotted Lees acting suspiciously and called the police.

Collided

Officers attended and parked up nearby in a marked police van, at which point Lees, who was driving a Vauxhall Astra, which had been stolen from an address in Oldham in November 2014, accelerated towards the vehicle and collided with it before attempting to flee.

A short pursuit ensued, which came to an end when he drove into a cul-de-sac and had nowhere to go.

Detective Constable Sam Taylor of Greater Manchester Police said: "The callous nature of which Lees carried out this burglary shows that he is a man who either thought he couldn't be caught or he just didn't care.

"The thought of somebody sneaking into your home whilst you sleep and stealing your possessions is a terrifying prospect for anyone.

"I hope the sentence passed here today sends a clear message that this type of crime will not be tolerated and we are prepared to bring those involved to justice."