A BURGLAR who forced a dog flap to break into a house and steal car keys has been jailed for more than three years.

Nicholas Baldwin and his accomplice made off in the occupier’s VW Tiguan after raiding the address in Green Close, Steeton, on November 10, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Baldwin, 21, of Valley View, Baildon, pleaded guilty to the break-in at 4am and to raiding bicycles valued at £1,400 from a householder’s garage in Aireville View, Crosshills, the same morning.

Baldwin, who was on a video link to Leeds Prison, also admitted two attempted house burglaries in Baildon on April 5 last year.

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He had since been sentenced to 18 months in a young offender institution for house burglary and was on bail and on licence when he committed the November offences.

Prosecutor Mark Brookes told the court that a homeowner in Walker Wood, Baildon, heard a loud bang at dead of night. He discovered that his garage was damaged, and a chisel and a lawn edger had been left at the scene.

Baldwin’s DNA was on the chisel, Mr Brookes said.

Shortly afterwards, Baldwin was caught on CCTV trying the rear door of another house in Baildon.

He made no comment in his police interview and was bailed.

Mr Brookes said Baldwin and his accomplice forced a dog flap backwards to burgle the car keys from the property in Steeton and steal the car. The householder discovered the kitchen door open and her vehicle missing.

She was now worried and anxious in her own home, the court heard.

The car was recovered soon afterwards, and the bikes were also found nearby. Swabs on the handlebars were a DNA match for Baldwin.

Giles Bridge said in mitigation that the two attempted burglaries in Baildon were before Baldwin was locked up for 18 months in January for similar offending.

Mr Bridge said this would be Baldwin’s first sentence in an adult prison and the second offence of house burglary on his record.

He had worked as a painter and decorator and been employed in a factory but he had fallen in with the wrong company after his release from custody.

Judge Jonathan Rose jailed Baldwin for a total of 37 months.

He told him that house burglary was an intrusion into homes where people were entitled to feel safe.

A couple with a young child had been left distressed and afraid when strangers broke into their home while they were sleeping, the judge remarked.