A bungling burglar who failed to break into more than a dozen homes and cars was so dumbfounded by his bad luck he almost knocked on someone’s door by mistake.
Prolific crook Shaun Dixon, 39, was caught on CCTV starting his doomed crime spree at around 3am on August 7 last year in Ellington, Northumberland.
The thief tried to open the front door and tried to gain access to a secure property before trying his luck with a myriad of other homes in the space of three hours.
During his series of burglarising blunders, Dixon attempted to break into homes on Fontburn, Wansbeck Close, Windmill Height, Coquet Drive and Tweed Avenue.
Covering his face with a scarf and wrapping his hands in rubber gloves, the criminal first attempted to pull open a front door before tugging at a car boot door.
After trying to edge his way into another car, the thief tries his luck elsewhere but continued to fail at every hurdle whilst trying to burgle homes with varying degrees of security.
At one point the confused crook appeared to start to knock at a door before appearing to remember what he is there for and tries the handle, which is locked.
Minutes later Dixon is caught on film trying to push a garage door open before once again being disappointed and walking away empty-handed.
Bungling burglar Shaun Dixon, 39, went to knock on one of the doors of the homes he was attempted to steal from
The hopeless criminal had tried to break into a series of homes and cars in Ellington, Northumberland
He attempted to push his into garage and garden doors but ultimately walked away empty handed every single time
He admitted six counts of attempted burglary, six counts of attempted theft from a vehicle, burglary and possession of cannabis
Police were alerted by concerned residents who checked their security cameras and officers quickly recognised Dixon as the prime suspect.
The crook, who has a string of convictions for burglary, theft and shoplifting, was arrested soon after.
He admitted six counts of attempted burglary, six counts of attempted theft from a vehicle, burglary and possession of cannabis.
Dixon, of no fixed address, was jailed for four years and eight months when he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court last Thursday.
Detective Constable Jon Mullen, of Northumbria Police, said: ‘Dixon is a typical example of an opportunistic thief, and he has shown no sign of changing his ways.
‘Burglary is an invasive crime which leaves victims feeling unsafe in their own homes, and I am pleased Dixon is now facing a lengthy spell behind bars.
‘This conviction and sentencing would not have been possible without the assistance of the community, so this shows the value in reporting concerns to police.’
