A “DYED in the wool” burglar who hid behind the chair of an 80 year-old disabled man before stealing from his home is back behind bars.

Jason McIlvenny, 45, told Bradford Crown Court he had spent 26 out of the last 30 years in jail, and the court heard he was on-licence from prison when he committed two further burglaries in August.

He told the Recorder of Bradford, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, that he was “ashamed” of his record, but the judge said he was more concerned about getting back to the prison canteen for his lunch than showing remorse for his crimes.

Prosecutor Ben Campbell said that on August 7, 80 year-old Frank Bartle, who requires oxygen for chronic lung disease, was sat watching TV in his front room on Brownroyd Hill Road, Wibsey, Bradford, when he heard a noise.

McIlvenny was hiding behind his chair, and when Mr Bartle got up to confront him, asking “what’s your game”, he told him he had seen a mobility scooter outside and wanted advice on buying one.

After the defendant had left, Mr Bartle studied his CCTV and saw that McIlvenny had stolen items including a tablet, sunglasses, and some letters.

McIlvenny was identified by his victim, and tested positive for heroin and cocaine on his arrest.

Mr Campbell said that four days earlier, on August 3, McIlvenny had entered a house on Radfield Drive, Odsal, Bradford, by slipping through the rear patio doors.

After hearing a noise, the occupant went upstairs to see him on the landing before he was able to escape and run away, taking the man’s wallet containing cash and cards.

McIlvenny then used one of the cards to make two contactless payments at a nearby garage a short time later.

The court heard that McIlvenny, of Daleside Walk, Bowling, Bradford, had 31 previous convictions for 90 offences, including burglaries dating back to 1989. He had been given a five-year sentence for his most recent burglary in 2013.

He admitted two further charges of burglary and one of fraud.

As Judge Durham Hall attempted to adjourn his sentencing after a lunch break, McIlvenny stood up in the dock and demanded to be dealt with straightaway.

He said: “I’ve done 26 years out of the last 30. Just send me back to prison where I belong”, to which Judge Durham Hall replied: “Okay, my pleasure, do take a seat.”

Andrew Walker, mitigating, said his client did not speak with a tone of anger, but a tone of “someone who has simply become institutionalised.”

McIlvenny then spoke again to the judge, stating he “knew the difference between right and wrong” but had fallen into “Bradford’s criminal fraternity” after first being remanded as a 14 year-old boy.

The court heard that one of the reasons McIlvenny wanted to be sentenced immediately was to get back to prison in Leeds in time for a Christmas lunch.

Jailing McIlvenny for six years, Judge Durham Hall said his case was an “impossible situation to justify leniency.”

On targeting the “seriously-ill” Mr Bartle, he said: “You despicably snuck in and hid behind his chair. Mr Bartle is a brave man and a man of standing in his community, unlike you.

“In terms of burglary, you are dyed in the wool. You are a danger to society, you know that. Your concern is missing the Armley canteen rather than concern over remorse.”