Syringe-threat burglar is jailed

A burglar who targeted three homes in Cumbria and threatened a householder with a syringe has been jailed for four years and seven months.

Paul Cooper, 34, of Little Houghton, Bradford, was on his way to the Appleby Horse Fair when he broke into the houses in Kirkby Lonsdale, last May.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how he tried to break into a fourth house, but was disturbed by the homeowner and ran off.

Cooper admitted three burglaries and one attempted burglary.

He also asked for 10 other burglaries, carried out in the Bradford area, to be taken into consideration.

The court heard how Cooper was chased by one householder who he threatened with a syringe and was caught nearby by police responding to his victim's 999 call.

The court also heard how he told police he planned to sell the property from the burglaries at the horse fair.

Jailing Cooper, the judge said he was a career burglar with an "appalling record".