Burglar caught napping in victim's home is jailed

A balaclava-clad burglar who fell asleep in a victim's home has been jailed.

Nelson Loveridge broke into a property in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on 19 April before falling asleep in a spare room.

The 36-year-old, of Honeycross Road in the town, was found snoozing by a man in the house in Long Chaulden at about 7:30 BST before being woken and arrested.

At Luton Crown Court on 25 September, he was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, having admitted two burglaries and two attempted burglaries.

Following Loveridge's arrest, he was linked to a spate of break-ins that all took place during the early hours of the same day in neighbouring roads.

During one, a woman woke to find him standing on her landing with a crowbar, having broken in via the kitchen window.

He demanded that she hand over cash and jewellery, but she chased him out of the front door and he fled.

He was subsequently charged and remanded into custody before pleading guilty to all the offences on 26 May.

Det Con Jake Smith, who led the investigation, said: "Waking up to discover someone has tried to break into your home is distressing.

"But finding an intruder inside your property is a truly traumatic experience, as the victims in this case sadly experienced.

"I'm pleased that Loveridge accepted responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty at an early opportunity."

CCTV footage provided by residents had played a key role in the investigation, he added.

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