GLOUCESTERSHIRE CONSTABULARY/GOOGLE MAPS Zak Babar committed the burglary while in a 'stupor', Gloucester Crown Court heard

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Babar, 48, had committed the burglary while in a “stupor” after overdosing on newly prescribed sleeping pills which he did not think were working, Gloucester crown court was told. Babar, of Regent street, Lydney, Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to burgling Eric Witheridge's home, also in Regent street, and stealing jewellery and an iPad on May 18 this year. Because of his three past convictions for house burglary he was liable to a “three strikes and you're out” minimum jail term of three years. But after hearing how he had given himself up and returned most of the stolen property Judge Michael Cullum reduced the sentence to sixteen months imprisonment.

“The burglary was a serious one,” said the judge. “But the way the case comes before the court is unusual.

The circumstances of this offence are very, very unusual Janine Wood

“The stolen property is recovered because you walked into the police station to admit your guilt, no doubt not wanting to live with the knowledge that you had committed another burglary after great efforts to change your life for the better.“ Prosecutor Janine Wood said “The circumstances of this offence are very, very unusual. It came to light because Babar walked of his own volition into Coleford police station with a bag of items which he knew were not his. He told the police he thought he had committed an offence. “This was on May 24. The burglary had been at about 5pm on May 18 when a stone was used to smash the utility window of Mr and Mrs Witheridge's home. “All the rooms were entered and various items stolen. It is a four-bed end of terrace home in a quiet street. “Babar told the police he thought he had committed a burglary after a recent change in his medication. He said he had a recall of a window being smashed. “The victim was contacted and shown the bag of items Babar had brought in. He was able to identify them as his.“ In a victim statement Mr Witheridge said the burglary had impacted on him and his wife.

They were shocked and then angry about what happened and suffered anxiety and inconvenience, he stated.