Peterborough: Man attempting burglary caught on video doorbell

A man has been convicted of attempted burglary after footage from video doorbells captured him trying to break into two homes.

Andrew Green, 52, was arrested outside the house in Eastfield, Peterborough on 5 May and charged with attempted burglary.

He was bailed but he was arrested again on 30 June when he was caught attempting to break into another home in the same area.

Green, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months, suspended for two years, when he appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday.

Cambridge Police said the first victim had seen Green trying to use a door handle and then wiping it with his sleeve after he found it was locked on 5 May.

When officers arrived at the property Green, who has previous convictions for burglary, told them he was “looking for work”.

During the second incident a man returned to his house at 13:30 BST when he found Green behind a bush near his garage.

He tried to question the would-be burglar but Green became aggressive and made threats.

Video doorbell footage again caught him trying the door handle at this house before trying to get into his garage.

Green admitted to further counts of attempted burglary with intent to steal, burglary with intent to steal and using threatening or abusive behaviour.

He told the judge at Cambridge Crown Court that it was a “slip” and claimed it was not a return to his “old ways”.

Green was also ordered to complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

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