(Image: Durham Constabulary)
A black-eyed burglar crept into a student's Durham bedroom calling out "oi oi" while she showered just metres away.
Andrew John Molloy took the undergraduate’s laptop, which cost £1,300 to replace, and an engagement ring of great sentimental value to householders whose home in Ferryhill was “violated” in the second.
Molloy appeared before Durham Crown Court for sentence on Thursday (August 20) after admitting both burglaries at a hearing last month.
Appearing via video link from Durham Prison, where he has been on remand, the court was told 45-year-old Molloy, of no fixed abode, has 25 convictions for 67 offences on his record and, “of note”, is a “five-strikes” home burglar for which he has served several past custodial sentences.
Cainan Lonsdale, prosecuting, said the first of the latest two offences took place on March 14 when a female student was showering in shared accommodation in Neville Street, Durham, when she heard a male voice saying “oi, oi” outside the bathroom.
As she thought it must be one of her flatmates, she thought nothing of it at the time.
But after leaving the bathroom she could smell urine and one of her flatmates said a figure had knocked at the door.
It was only later that she realised a bag containing her laptop, which had been next to her bed, was missing.
Police were contacted, and on checking cctv, the defendant could be seen leaving the property with the bag.
The student said she felt angry for not having challenged him and due to the looming exam season said she felt compelled to buy a replacement laptop, at a cost of £1,300.
Serial burglar Andrew John Molloy jailed for 40 months for latest break-ins, earlier this year
(Image: Durham Constabulary)
Mr Lonsdale said the second burglary took place between 11.15am and 5.15pm on May 31 at a house in Dean Road, Ferryhill, while the family of three living there were all away from home.
On their return they found blood stains on the carpet and furnishings and a smashed kitchen window, with shattered glass and the brick used to break it, on the floor.
As they were unsure if the intruder may still be inside the house, they waited outside until police arrived.
Blood stains were found in every room and it was discovered about £20 had been taken from a bag of coins, an unopened bottle of vodka was also missing, as was an engagement ring, an heirloom from a late loved one, bought in the mid-1980s.
The defendant, who had been sleeping rough in a garden next door, was suspected, as he had previously gone to their house seeking money and food.
A neighbour had also seen Molloy looking through the window of the burgled property and CCTV captured him breaking into the house.
In victim statements read to the court the burgled householders spoke of their shock at the offence and feeling of violation, but also anger at Molloy who they had previously assisted with donations of food and money.
Jennifer Coxon, for Molloy, said he could only apologise to all parties involved.
She told the court: “Unfortunately, drugs are the catalyst in his life, leading him to commit these offences and coming before the court so often.”
Miss Coxon said despite his record of offending, the defendant had managed to go offence-free for a number of years after being released from a past jail term, when he led a “normal life” in a relationship with a woman and her children.
But the breakdown of that relationship in 2024 led to him becoming homeless, affecting his mental health and increasing his drug misuse.
She said while on remand in prison the defendant has acknowledged he needs to, “get a grip” on his addiction, which needs to be “sustained”.
Judge Richard Bennett told Molloy he had left his victims highly distressed at his actions with valuable and valued items probably having been pawned by him for relative “pennies” just to help him buy drugs.
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“Your life has been blighted by drugs and if you continue to use them you will continue to offend and appear before courts and returning to prison.”
The judge said he was satisfied there was some planning in both breaks-ins.
He imposed a 40-month prison sentence and said, given the defendant’s means, any prospect of a payment of compensation was, “non-existent”.