A PROLIFIC burglar has been jailed after trying to break into a house while a young family were inside.
Drug addict John Ledner, 39, has been described as a "career criminal" with an appalling record for burglary.
Ledner was on prison licence at the time after being jailed for three-and-a-half years for a series of burglaries in 2012.
He had also been jailed in 2005 for robbing a Sunday school teacher as she made her way home from church.
When householder Alison Sharp confronted Ledner and told him she was calling police, he replied: "It's OK, you go grass, you'll get what's coming to you."
She was at home in Barham Road, east Hull, with her partner Adam Lazenby and their two children, aged two and seven, when Ledner tried to open their front door.
Catherine Duffy, prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, said: "She then saw the defendant putting his head through the doorway."
Judge Jeremy Richardson QC told Ledner: "You have an appalling history of criminal activity. It is extensive, with massive amounts of dishonesty.
"You are a thoroughly dishonest individual. Your appalling history is something I cannot ignore. I would be failing in my public duty if I did anything other than imprison you.
"I trust and I hope at this stage in your criminal career you can move away from drugs and stop committing crime."
Miss Duffy said, after trying the door at 9.30pm, Ledner walked towards the passageway of the house, where he met another man.
She said she and Mr Lazenby heard one of the men say: "There's a bike, get it."
When Mr Lazenby went outside and confronted Ledner, he recognised him as living in nearby Shannon Road.
Miss Sharp then told him she was calling the police.
Ledner was arrested nearby and found to have a ball bearing in his pocket, which Miss Duffy said could have been used for breaking a window.
When he was interviewed by police, Ledner said he could not remember what he had done at the time because he believed his drink had been spiked.
Representing Ledner, Paul Norton said: "His record shows he has spent the greater part of his life, which has been a life bedeviled by drugs, behind bars.
"He recognises that unless he deals with his drug addiction, the next ten years of his life will be equally miserable.
"He has been voluntarily and enthusiastically attending appointments at a drug rehabilitation service. His mother, who has been estranged from him in the past because of his behaviour, says she has noticed a change in him."
Ledner admitting attempted burglary on February 20.
Jailing him for two years, Judge Richardson QC told Ledner: "I hope in prison you stay away from drugs and stop committing crime, otherwise the sentences are just going to get ever longer."
