Burglar targeted Dewsbury education centres during coronavirus lockdown

Damien Wood, 43, broke into three premises while they were closed as part of the effort to control the pandemic.

Leeds Crown Court heard Wood broke into Ravensthorpe Social Education Centre in Dewsbury at around 5am on April 3.

Robert Galley, prosecuting, said a window was smashed and blood at the scene matched Wood's DNA.

Wood was caught on security cameras using a plank of wood to prise open a door to Kirklees College's Dewsbury campus on April 15.

Hundreds of pounds worth of damage was caused to internal doors and petty cash was stolen.

Wood then broke into Northorpe Hall Child and Family Trust in Mirfield on the morning of April 23.

He stole cash from an envelope in a drawer at reception.

A manager recognised Wood from CCTV footage of the offence as he had also targeted the site four years earlier.

Wood, of no fixed address, made no comment in his police interview.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary.

Wood has 17 previous convictions for burglary.

Emma Downing, mitigating, said Wood committed the offences to fund his addiction to drugs but had managed to stay out of trouble for six years.