Woman woke up to find police trying to arrest intruder under her bed

Andrew Parker broke into the woman’s house after smashing a rear window, Teesside Crown Court heard.

“At about 6am a neighbour saw the defendant acting suspiciously at the back of the house,” said Jenny Haigh, prosecuting.

“The neighbour dialled 999, and when she looked again after making the call there was no one there.

“Police were on the scene very quickly.”

The court heard officers knocked on the door, but became concerned for the occupant’s welfare when they received no reply.

“Police forced entry to the property,” Ms Haigh added. “They found the occupant asleep in bed.

“The defendant was found under her bed.

“When questioned, he said he had been to a party, gone into the house and fallen asleep.”

Parker, 20, of Miller Crescent, Hartlepool, denied burglary on July 17, last year.

He admitted criminal damage on the same date.

Nigel Soppitt, defending, said in mitigation: “This is an odd case, not least because Mr Parker has already been sentenced by magistrates for assaulting a police officer during his arrest.

“He is a young man who lives at home with his parents, and suffers from anxiety and depression.

“At his age, he may grow up quickly in the next few years.”

Judge Peter Armstrong sentenced Parker to a community order of 12 months.

The judge told him: “I have no doubt you had taken drink and tablets that night.

“What you were doing in that house is not clear, but you should not have broken the window.”

Parker was made the subject of restraining order banning him from contacting his victim for five years.