A MAN who found himself homeless after being recently released from prison broke into a number of properties in search of food.
Nicholas John McRae admitted three counts of trespassing with intent to steal when he appeared at Redditch Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (June 4).
The court heard how on Monday night and into the early hours of Tuesday (June 2 and 3) the 58-year-old targeted properties in the Cookhill area.
He was seen climbing over a fence of a house on the Evesham Road and smashed a window causing £200 of damage to get into the property. When someone came out to ask him what he was doing McRae said he was leaving and walked off.
He then attempted to gain entry into Cookhill Village Hall but was unsuccessful.
Police finally caught up with McRae in the early hours of Tuesday morning at Ridgeway Nurseries after somebody reported a light was on and a hooded figure inside.
When officers arrived they found McRae had put a hammer and crow bar in a bag and had made himself a cup of coffee.
Chris Aggrey, defending, said McRae had recently been released on licence from prison and was hoping to reintegrate himself back into everyday life. But after living rough for a number of weeks he had been left starving with nowhere to go and out of desperation for food and shelter from the wet weather had committed the offences.
He added McRae had planned to dry himself and move on and it was an impulse decision with little organisation. Police also found no suggestion McRae had ransacked any of the places he had trespassed in.
Sue Mitchell, Chair of the Bench, told McRae because he had been released on licence, committed the offences at night and had a bad record including previous offences for burglary, they did not have sufficient powers to deal with him.
McRae was remanded in custody to appear at Worcester Crown Court on July 4 for sentencing.
