Career burglar jailed over spate of offences in Leeds

A court heard Michael Wood has an “atrocious” record for committing house burglaries in order to fund his addiction to drugs.

Wood, 36, targeted a property on Swinnow Road, Bramley, during the daytime on February 2 this year.

He smashed a window to get inside the property before stealing laptops and other electrical equipment.

Wood struck again at a house on Harley Walk, Bramley, five days later.

He again smashed a window to get inside the property and stole electrical equipment.

Wood was then spotted trying to break into a house on Fairfield Hill on February 20.

Members of the public reported the incident to police and officers stopped him in the area later the same day.

He was searched and found to have stolen property in a rucksack he was carrying.

Wood, of The Heights East, Armley, pleaded guilty to two offences of burglary, attempted burglary and two offences of handling stolen goods. Leeds Crown Court heard Wood has a long history of targeting homes in the city.

He was released from his last sentence of imprisonment in January last year.

Ian Cook, mitigating, said Wood had managed to stay free from drugs for over a year after being released from prison.

He said his client then returned to offending to fund his crack cocaine addiction after associating with criminals again.

The lawyer said: “He returned to breaking into people’s home and handling stolen goods.

“He is 36 years of age and realises that this is perhaps his last opportunity to turn his life around. Otherwise the rest of his life is mapped out for him into an early grave.”

Judge James Spencer, QC, said: “This is a defendant who has an atrocious record and it is no surprise that it is associated with long term drug misuse.”