Burglar who left “telltale” blood at scene of Brighouse break-in is jailed
A repeat offender is starting another jail sentence after he left “telltale” drops of blood at the scene of a house in Brighouse last summer.
Daniel Hall, 38, was on prison licence last October when he broke into a house on Halifax Road which was undergoing renovation following its purchase by a new owner.
Bradford Crown Court heard today (Friday, January 2) that the householder was away on holiday when a neighbour heard banging coming from the property late at night and she was able to see an intruder using a torch inside the house.
Prosecutor Brian Russell said when police arrived they found blood at the point of entry into the house and it was later matched to Hall.
Hall, 38, of Cooper Lane, Shelf, was not arrested until a month later when he was involved a separate incident during which he tried to get away from police in a Vauxhall Insignia.
Recorder Taryn Turner said that offence of dangerous driving was “mercifully short” and took place at 1am, but it ended after Hall crashed the car into a bollard in the Barkerend Road area of Bradford and tried to run off.
When he was detained Hall, who was already a banned driver and had no insurance, apologised for the offence.
Last month Hall, who had nearly 30 previous convictions for 68 offences, pleaded guilty to charges of house burglary, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
The court heard Hall had previous convictions for burglary and dangerous driving and he was on prison licence at the time of the latest offences.
Barrister Claire Geller, for Hall, said he had expressed remorse and had been in a difficult place in his life at the time of the offences.
She said he had a young child and now had a new resolve to improve his life and not offend again.
Hall took part in the hearing via a prison video link and Recorder Turner told him that he had left “telltale” blood deposits at the house he burgled.
She said he was no stranger to the courts and the damage caused during the break-in was in excess of £600.
The judge said the burglary was the most serious offence and she jailed Hall for 15 months before imposing concurrent jail sentences for the motoring offences.
Hall was also banned from driving for 25-and-a-half months and ordered to take an extended re-test.
“That’s no problem, I won’t drive again,” said Hall over the video link.