Sheffield burglar named “Innocent” pleads guilty to break-in

Daniel Innocent's fingerprints were left behind on an electric heater after an address on Duncan Street, Rotherham, was burgled between July 14 and 16, last year, said prosecutor Ian West.

But although the homeowner was "traumatised" because a lot of personal items, including valuable jewellery, were taken, Innocent was prosecuted on the basis he only took a cooker, as other people were involved.

Sheffield Crown Court heard he has 15 previous convictions for 24 offences including dishonesty and driving matters, but this was his first burglary.

Tom Heath, mitigating, said Innocent, who suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning difficulties, is someone who is "easily led."

"He was in the wrong crowd," he said. "There seem to have been threats made so he doesn't incriminate them."

"He had a problem with cocaine at the time, but has since stopped. He has been burgled himself and he knows the effect it had on him."

The court heard he can't look after himself and has never had a job because he has the mental functioning of a 16-year-old.

Innocent, 29, of Greenland View, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to burglary, on June 23, after initially denying the charge.

On Wednesday, Judge Keir Monteith QC sentenced him to ten months in prison, suspended for two years, with 100 hours of unpaid work.

In addition Innocent must carry out 25 rehabilitation sessions and abide by a 30-day curfew, from 7pm to 7am.

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