Bexhill burglar jailed

Bodrul Ali, 26, of Victoria Court, King Offa Way, Bexhill, left a married couple terrified after he crept into their caravan in Combe Haven Holiday Park last September.

The couple were asleep in the bedroom when they heard a disturbance and saw a man enter their caravan at around 11pm.

The bedroom door was held shut by the intruder from the other side, but they managed to force it open and detain Ali until the park's security officers arrived.

Ali was arrested and found to be in possesion of quantities of cocaine, heroin and cannabis.

He denied attempting to steal from the caravan, saying he had entered the wrong one by mistake. He said he only wanted somewhere to smoke drugs, but could not explain why he did not leave once he realised he was in the wrong caravan.

It is thought he used a key mistakenly left by the couple in the door of the caravan.

He later admitted gaining entry to the caravan with the intention to steal.

Prosecution barrister Emma Reed told the court: "The couple cut their holiday short because of what happened. They were greatly concerned for their safety that night and now have trouble sleeping as they are worried someone might attempt to get in whilst they are asleep.

"The wife said she in particular was very scared, and now feels like they have to sleep with a crowbar under the bed in case it happens again."

Ali's defence barrister, Francis McGraph asked Judge Charles Kemp to take into account the addiction to class A drugs which fuelled his client's offending. He said: "Mr Ali is addicted to class A drugs which is directly related to his pattern of offending behaviour.

"He does accept that he went into the caravan with the intention to steal, but there are unhappy circumstances surrounding his earlier release from prison.

"He was married and very happy with his wife but her family did not consider the marriage equal. He says that she was forced to remarry whilst he was in prison.

"He felt like everything was crumbling around him and that is how my client found himself going back to class A drugs after his release.

"I have a letter from his time in prison from a facility course co-ordinator stating how she was impressed by his motivation to get off drugs and his desire to deal with his addiction."

Judge Kemp said he was concerned about the similarities to a previous burglary for which Ali was jailed.

At the time of the caravan burglary he was on bail after being stopped by police in June 2007. Four rocks of cocaine were seen to be dropped by Ali at the scene, and he gave the false name of Ali Ali.

He had been released from prison just six months earlier to that arrest for a previous burglary, in which a woman found Ali in her hotel room.

Ali was given two and a half years for aggravated burglary, after he held a belt around his victim's neck.

Judge Kemp told Ali: "You stand before me for five counts on two indictments for burglary and possession of drugs. To all except the burglary you pleaded guilty.

"You only pleaded guilty to the burglary on the 59th minute of the eleventh hour, so you can receive no credit for that.

"This burglary was not only nasty, but mean and extremely frightening for the couple late at night.

"You have admitted you would have stolen property and smoked class A drugs. It becomes far more serious bearing in mind the previous offence for which you were sentenced.

"Your first offence was only six months after your release, but your offending does appear to be motivated by your consumption of these terrible drugs.

"You have to address that because if you go on taking these pernicious drugs the sentences will just get longer. I bear in mind the progress you have made, but this matter is too serious not to pass a custodial sentence.

"Understand that when you are released the remaining part of the sentence is kept in suspension.

"Kick the drugs, come out of prison and lead a decent life while you are still young enough to do so."

Ali, who served 195 days in custody, will serve a two and a half year prison sentence.