Persistent burglar Noel Costello cut phone wires in an elderly couple's home and disabled their stair-lift so he wouldn't be caught, writes Andrew Ffrench.

Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday how Costello, 26, of Corn Street, Witney, frightened the elderly couple at their home in West Way, Botley, Oxford.

The husband got out of bed after hearing a noise and found Costello sitting in an armchair. The pensioner was shocked to find his stair-lift not working and phone lines cut.

Costello then fled, the court heard, and tried to burgle The George pub in Botley Road. The landlady disturbed him, the court heard, and was frightened when Costello demanded money. An off-duty police officer was alerted to the crime and arrested him.

Two days earlier, the court heard, he stole £2,000 worth of goods from a house in Park Road, Witney. He helped himself to some chocolate cake and watched a video, before ordering a taxi to take him and the stolen goods away.

Terence Woods, defending, said Costello - who admitted the three burglaries - was suffering from drugs problems.

Judge Andrew Geddes sentenced Costello to three years in prison.

Costello, who moved to Oxford from Warrington, had 20 previous convictions, including a number for burglary.

Story date: Saturday 19 February

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