Prolific burglar jailed after targeting vulnerable pensioner

A hammer-wielding burglar who knocked a frail pensioner to the floor and failed to engage with a rehabilitation programme has been jailed.

Connor Cooper forced his way into the Newark home of a vulnerable man on January 28.

The 22-year-old smashed his way through a bedroom window and knocked the victim to the floor when he barged through an internal door as he ransacked the house.

The victim, who struggles to walk, hit his head as he fell to the floor, with Cooper, who was wielding a claw hammer, later kicking the man in the ribs and chest as he lay on the ground and threatening to kill him if he moved.

At the time of the incident, Cooper was already part of the force’s Integrated Offender Management (IOM) scheme to prevent such offending.

Nottinghamshire Police’s IOM programme, which is part of the Prevention Hub, unites partner organisations including the probation service, local authorities, and the Department for Work and Pensions to help rehabilitate former prisoners.

It targets prolific offenders who commit a disproportionate level of crime across the city and county.

This allowed IOM team officers to monitor Cooper’s offending with bespoke licence conditions, which included a mandatory electronic GPS tag, a curfew, spot drug testing and police enforcement visits.

Cooper denied he was involved in the burglary and was merely jogging through the area, however, detectives were able to use precise GPS tag data to place him at the scene, which showed Cooper leaving the property and climbing over a garden fence before deciding to remove the electronic tag, seemingly aware it may implicate his involvement in the burglary.

Cooper subsequently went on the run before being arrested in South Yorkshire.

Pathways out of reoffending are provided through comprehensive support to break the cycle and address underlying causes such as help with housing, employment, universal credit, education, finances, debt, behaviour, and relationship skills.

Ultimately, however, those who do not engage with the programme and continue to offend will be prosecuted.

Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on March 25, Cooper, of Parliament Court, Newark, was convicted of burglary of a dwelling with intent to steal and jailed for four years.

Sergeant Rebecca Jepson, of Nottinghamshire Police’s IOM team, said: “Cooper’s unacceptable behaviour has caused distress to homeowners and blighted local communities.

“Despite denying his involvement, we were able to track him down via conditions enabled by the IOM programme and bring Cooper to justice.

“It is important that we work closely with our partner organisations to reduce the reoffending of prolific individuals, to create safer communities across Nottinghamshire.

“The reasons for offending can be complex, but we are committed to protecting our communities from harm, and by addressing these causes directly, we can reduce victims of crime and costs to the criminal justice system.

“We continue to deal with prolific offenders robustly and those individuals who do not engage with the programme will be prosecuted. I hope this sentence provides some comfort to the victim and his family.”