Crook caught on camera trying to break into house is jailed

A persistent burglar caught red-handed on camera as he tried to break into a city home has been jailed for three years.

Drug-using James Tweedy, 41, failed to sneak into the Watermans Walk property on the Garlands estate in Carlisle at 4:34am on June 4.

It was left secure while the occupants were away. Their home security was bolstered by a CCTV recording system which they viewed after returning and hearing a gate was seen open.

This showed Tweedy visibly trying to open locked patio doors before walking away. After police were alerted to the CCTV find, two experienced officers who viewed footage said they were "100%t" sure the man was Tweedy.

When police caught up with him at his temporary Fusehill Street home on June 9 he was hiding in a wardrobe. Tweedy denied attempted burglary but was convicted, unanimously, after a Carlisle Crown Court trial.

Jurors heard Tweedy had 18 previous break-in convictions, plus one for an attempt, and had been described by police as "one of Carlisle's persistent burglars".

Judge Nicholas Barker jailed Tweedy for three years, telling jurors who saw him sentenced: