Man jailed for burgling home of vulnerable mother

A MAN with brain damage burgled the home of a vulnerable woman who was “struggling financially” while trying to raise her three-year-old child, a court heard.

Jordan Burnell took all that the victim owned “materially in the world” when he targeted her property in Parsonage Barn Lane, Ringwood.

He was living in the same sheltered housing block as the victim in October last year. She had moved out and was living with friends, but her property was still in her flat. When she returned, she found “extensive damage” to parts of it.

Prosecutor Ellie Fargin told Southampton Crown Court: “A child’s cot had been smashed, the big flat screen television was gone, there was smashed glass everywhere, food had been taken from the freezer, and the lid on the toilet bowl had been smashed, as had the toilet door.”

Additionally, £230 in cash was missing from the bedroom, along with footwear and utensils.

Blood found inside the property and outside in the courtyard area matched Burnell’s.

A statement from the victim revealed she was “struggling financially” as she was not working and caring for her three-year-old daughter. She also explained she was “scared” she would see Burnell again.

The court heard the defendant had 11 previous convictions, including a commercial dwelling burglary, harassment and assault.

Burnell (23), now of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to burglary but on a basis, which was not accepted by the prosecution.

In a statement submitted by the defence, Burnell said he had autism and claimed another neighbour - whom he did not name - had been “pestering” him to break into the flat as she wanted some of the items inside and believed the owner had left them.

He said he did not want to get involved but succumbed, adding his brain injury impaired his judgement.

Defence counsel Mary Aspinall-Miles said her client had sustained long-lasting brain injuries when he was physically abused as a baby.

However, she said he now acknowledged drink and drugs caused his offending and was actively working to address his issues.

She pointed out that since late December last year, Burnell had been in prison on remand for another alleged offence, and had completed rehabilitation and anger management courses.

Noting this, Judge Parker imposed an eight-month jail sentence. However, because of the time he has already served the defendant will be released almost immediately. He will then be monitored by probation for a year.

“I don’t know where your life is going to take you Jordan Burnell,” said the judge. “It’s really important for you that you do not do drugs and you do not drink. You have choices - try and make them wisely.”

The court was told that a charge of attempted robbery of the Ringwood Service Station at Picket Post on Christmas Eve last year had been dismissed at an earlier court hearing.

Two further charges alleging Burnell possessed a bladed article and caused criminal damage on other occasions had been dropped after prosecutors offered no evidence.