A BURGLAR who raided his victim’s house as he slept on a sofa in his lounge has escaped going straight to jail.

Jamie Symonds was caught after the man woke up during the break-in in the porch of his home on Newport’s Walford Street.

When confronted, the 26-year-old defendant told his victim that someone was “trying the doors” in the area before he ran off.

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Cardiff Crown Court heard how the man soon realised that Symonds had stolen his car keys, a pair of boots and a rucksack.

James Evans, prosecuting, said: “The defendant then returned and the victim engaged him in conversation until the police arrived.”

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Symonds, of Redland Street, Newport, pleaded guilty to committing the burglary on April 14.

Mr Evans said the defendant had three previous convictions for five offences, including a dwelling and non-dwelling burglary.

The court was told that Symonds’ father had recently died.

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Jeffrey Jones, mitigating on behalf of his client, said: “The entry was into a porch rather than into the household.

“His guilty plea is perhaps the most tangible evidence of his remorse.

“The defendant’s father had passed away and it caused him some dismay. He is struggling with grief.

“He was his carer.”

Mr Jones added: “The defendant committed his offences 11 years ago in the summer of 2012 when he was a juvenile.

“He is not a complete stranger to prison – he was there when he was 17.

“The defendant has had issues around his lifestyle and mental health and has used amphetamine and cannabis.”

His barrister said Symonds had been assessed by the probation service as posing a low risk of reoffending.

The judge, Recorder Dyfed Llion Thomas, told the defendant: “This is a serious matter.

“You violated your victim’s home and stole from him.”

Symonds was jailed for 15 months, suspended for 18 months.

He was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and pay a £156 victim surcharge.