Burglar cornered by stepdad and teenage boy in Plymouth

A BURGLAR was chased and cornered by a householder and his 15-year-old stepson, a court heard.

The teenager punched heroin addict Luke Coombes to the ground before he was arrested by the police, Plymouth Crown Court heard.

Coombes, aged 22, had sneaked into the family home and tried to steal car and house keys from the front door.

Coombes, of Ipswich Close, Whitleigh, admitted entering the home in the city with intent to steal on October 14 last year.

BRAND NEW FORD B-MAX ZETEC 1.0 ECOBOOST FOR ONLY £7685*

Swanson Motor Company

View details

Print voucher

DRIVE AWAY A BRAND NEW FORD B-MAX ZETEC FOR ONLY £7685.
1.0 100PS Manual
WITH:
Electric Windows & Mirrors
Quickclear Heated Windscreen
15" Alloy Wheels
Bluetooth with Ford Sync
Fog Lights

Terms: *Drive away from only £7685 and then pay nothing for 24 months!
4.9% APR
Conditions Apply

Contact: 01626 240583

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

He also admitted attempting to steal items from a car in Warwick Avenue, Whitleigh.

Coombes was also sentenced for two previous matters from March of last year because his latest offences breached a community order. He was caught going equipped for theft and stealing from a shop.

Coombes was also sentenced for possession of a small amount of cannabis in January.

Llewellyn Sellick, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the stepfather spotted Coombes in the doorway of his home at about 10.45pm. He added the intruder was trying to take keys, including car keys, from the lock.

Mr Sellick said the resident challenged Coombes, who ran off empty-handed, chased by the 15-year-old.

The court heard the man put on his shoes and joined his stepson, but they lost sight of Coombes. Mr Sellick said they drove around the area and spotted him nearby.

He said: "They challenged him and he said something like owing money to the scousers. The youngster thought he was either on drink or drugs.

"The boy was angry because his four-year-old brother had been in the house at the time, and he punched the defendant once in the face. He was knocked to the ground.

"The defendant said sorry, got up and ran away, but he did not get very far because he ran straight into the arms of the police."

Mr Sellick said earlier Coombes had been spotted rifling through the open boot of a Ford Focus in Warwick Avenue. He was challenged by the boyfriend of a woman who lived there, but escaped after he claimed he had a knife.

Sarah Vince, for Coombes, said he had been struggling with depression but he was the sole carer for his father, who was ill with cancer.

She added: "He is struggling with the grieving process after the loss of his best friend."

Recorder Alastair Trevaskis handed him a 12-week prison sentence, but suspended it for 12 months. He must comply with a three-month curfew nightly between 8pm and 7am.