Pennington man Daniel Shearing jailed for three years

A Pennington woman watched a burglar brandishing a claw hammer at her front door after a video doorbell alert.

Daniel Shearing (37), of Broadly Close, was jailed for three years at Southampton Crown Court yesterday (Thursday) after pleading guilty to burglary, theft and breaching suspended sentences imposed in April 2022 and February 2023.

Shearing had burgled the property in North Street, Pennington, in April this year while the homeowner was tending to her allotment, prosecutor Grace McConnell said.

The woman's Ring doorbell notified her of someone at the front door, the court heard, and on looking at her mobile phone she saw an unknown male holding the hammer.

She returned home in "quite a panic" and, along with a neighbour, went inside her property and rang 999.

They confronted Shearing who escaped through a smashed kitchen window.

Neighbours gave chase with the victim following in her car, and they caught up with Shearing near Priestlands School.

He said "back off or I will stab you" and brandished the claw hammer before running away.

Ms McConnell said Shearing had carried out an "untidy search" of the property and left muddy footprints at the scene.

He stole a pearl necklace valued at around £1,000, and £30 in cash as well as a claw hammer and screwdriver.

The damaged kitchen window cost around £400 to repair.

In a statement the victim said she had felt "scared, traumatised and anxious".

The court heard she had been left particularly distressed by the scattering of bereavement cards which had been on display in her home following the death of her husband.

Defending, Jonathan Underhill said Shearing was a man "yet again undone by drug addiction and mental health".

He said the burglary was "impulsive" and as a result of the need to feed his drug addiction.

He added: "He knows custody is inevitable – he was given a chance and he has managed to squander that."

The court heard he was remorseful and felt he deserved to go to prison.

He pleaded guilty to burglary, possession of an offensive weapon and breaching the suspended sentences.

The earlier suspended sentences related to offences of theft, failing to provide a specimen, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and common assault.

Sentencing him to three years in prison, Judge Forster KC said: "You’d been given a remarkable opportunity by being given two suspended sentences [but] you have dealt with it by committing further offences.

"What took place had a considerable impact on the victim, and she was greatly affected and lost confidence as a result.

"It is aggravated by the breaching of suspended sentences – it is a shame you didn't take the opportunity."