A BURGLAR who broke into the south Belfast home of a 78-year old man was today given a 14-month prison sentence.
Brian Dylan Adams appeared at Belfast Crown Court via a videolink with Maghaberry, where he was handed a sentence totalling 28 months.
As he divided this equally between custody and licence, Judge Neil Rafferty QC urged Adams to address his issues with both drugs and gambling during the supervision period.
Adams, from Ventry Lane in Belfast, broke into the pensioner's home in the Malone area of the city on October 2 last year.
Once inside, the 36-year old stole foreign currency and alcohol.
Adams was captured on a doorbell security camera and when the footage was shown to police, Adams was identified by officers and arrested.
Defence barrister Conn O'Neill said his client - who has 76 previous convictions - acknowledges he has "difficulties" with addictions and is now seeking to change his ways.
As he jailed Adams, Judge Rafferty said that whilst he accepted the defendant was unaware the occupant of the home he targeted was "vulnerable and elderly", the incident was serious and one which warranted custody.
