A man involved in a burglary at a flat in Deighton has been given a suspended jail term after a Crown Court Recorder said he was prepared to take an exceptional step in his case because of what he had heard about him.
Craig Crosfield was one of two men who kicked in the door of an address in Colne Hurst, Huddersfield on August 26 last year.
Jessica Slaughter prosecuting told Leeds Crown Court at the time Gary Hamilton was at the flat looking after two dogs for a friend who was the occupier.
He heard banging on the door and someone saying it was the police and to let them in but when he looked saw someone wearing a hoodie so did not believe them.
When he heard the door being kicked in he tried to hide in the kitchen and one man entered there threatening him with a knife while Crosfield went into the living room.
The terrified Mr Hamilton managed to get out of the flat and saw one of the intruders leaving with a television. By then police had been alerted and Crosfield was arrested as he ran away.
Ian Brook representing Crosfield said he had an unenviable record having served sentences in the past for robbery but he had kept out of trouble for more than five years until a “blip” when he had drunk too much on August Bank Holiday and had gone to the flat understanding cannabis was being grown there.
He had no idea his accomplice had a knife or would steal the television.
Mr Brook said Crosfield worked, was engaged to be married and references showed “there is a different side to this young man rather than the thuggery on the face of the papers.”
Crosfield, 36 of Netheroyd Hill Road, Huddersfield admitted the burglary and was given a two year jail sentence suspended for two years with 12 months supervision, a medium level activity requirement and a six month curfew from 7pm to 7am.
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