A Carlisle man has been jailed for 40 months for committing several burglaries in Carlisle.

Ricky O’Neil, 37, of Rydal Street, was sentenced on Friday, November 10, at Carlisle Crown Court for three counts of dwelling burglary, commercial burglary and attempted dwelling burglary.

The court heard that overnight between October 3 and 4, this year, O’Neil targeted homes and entered a private part of Cumberland Infirmary to steal two hoodies and a plastic bag.

O’Neil entered two properties on Dalston Road in Carlisle, in the first incident he entered the property carrying out an untidy search before taking items. The homeowner went downstairs shortly after and found their home unsecured and a hospital tag in O’Neil’s name.

In the second property, O’Neil had been in the owner’s bedroom, with the owner thinking it was her husband. The occupant went downstairs having heard a noise and noticed the window open and a computer and other items taken. The occupant also noticed a garden fork on her sofa.

For the charge of attempted burglary, the homeowner of a property on Colville Terrace was woken by scratching noises at his door. Upon checking, he witnessed a male jumping over his fence and called the police. The man was identified as O’Neil and was arrested in a neighbouring property’s garden.

CCTV enquiries showed O’Neil, who was wearing the hoodie stolen from the hospital and was in possession of items which were identified as taken from properties on Dalston Road.

Searches by a police dog and handler also located a bag for life on Nelson Street containing further stolen items.

Officers also located further stolen items behind one of the properties on Dalston Road.

O’Neil was also sentenced about a burglary at a property on Kingstown Road, Carlisle on September 3, this year. O’Neil had forced entry to the property, taking cash and jewellery. Officers located a tin discarded by the suspect near a door which was seized for forensic enquiries, with fingerprints located matching O’Neil’s.

PC Jakub Wysocki, Cumberland CID, said: “Burglaries and attempted burglaries can have a significant impact on individuals.

“We all want to feel safe in our own homes and any intrusion can ruin this peace of mind whilst also dealing with the impact from loss of possessions.

“O’Neil entered the homes of his victims making untidy searches, he even entered bedrooms of multiple victims.

“Those who carry out such offences can also expect to face a police investigation and prosecution.”