Video: I’m not sorry - it was your fault anyway, shameless Leeds burglar writes to victims

A SHAMELESS and semi-literate Leeds burglar wrote to his victims blaming his crime on their “dumb mistakes” in leaving their house unprotected.

Police have taken the unusual step of publishing the letter as a warning to householders to secure their property.

It was written by the teenage criminal as part of a “rehabilitation” punishment but was not shown to its intended recipient because of its cold-hearted nature.

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Police said they were releasing it to demonstrate the way criminals target insecure properties and for the details it contains on how the burglar entered the house through an open kitchen window.

Chief Insp Melanie Jones of West Yorkshire Police, said: “The contents of the letter are disgusting but it does highlight the cold and dispassionate way burglars select a property to target.”

The badly-spelt letter says: “To be honest I’m not bothered or sorry about the fact I burgled your house.

“Basicly, it was your fault anyways.

“I’m going to run you through the dumb mistakes you made.”

The letter then notes a number of “mistakes” the householder made, including leaving curtains and a window open.

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It ends: “But anyways I dont feel sorry for you and Im not going to show any sympath or remores.”

The burglar, who was 16 when the letter was written, received a 12 month “intensive supervision and surveillance plan”, which police say is “the most rigorous, non-custodial intervention plan for a young offender and sees them monitored and supported as well as receiving education and training to divert them from crime”.

He broke into his victim’s house through a kitchen window. Police say such crimes account for 28 per cent of all burglaries in Leeds.

Chief Insp Jones said: “The figures across the city demonstrate that we can all make a sizeable difference to the rates of burglary by following a few simple steps.

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“The most straightforward of these is to remember to lock your door when you’re in the house and keep downstairs windows closed, particularly if you’re out of the house or in another room.

“At this time of year, and with it being dark by late afternoon, it’s really worth investing a few pounds in a timer switch to illuminate your property and give the impression someone’s at home.

“It’s also worth remembering that a number of insurance companies will no longer settle claims when a property has been left insecure.”