A BRAZEN burglar confronted an elderly woman in her home just days after being released from prison.

Justin Adamson is now back behind bars after Bolton Crown Court heard how he sneaked into the pensioner’s house in Wigan Road, Westhoughton, and when she found him in her hallway, he asked her, “Do you recognise me? Have I got the wrong house?”

Minutes later, on March 8. 43-year-old Adamson also stole items from a parked car which had been left unlocked.

Jailing him for three years, Judge Tom Gilbart told Adamson: “People are entitled to feel safe and secure in their own property.”

Simon Barrett, prosecuting, told the court that, on March 4, Adamson had been released from prison after serving a sentence for a burglary committed in similar circumstances.

His latest victim, a 73-year-old woman, was alone at home at 12.15pm.

“She was in the dining room when she heard someone say ‘hello’,” said Mr Barrett.

“She believed it came from the rear of her address but understood nobody could get there with ease so initially dismissed it.”

But Adamson is believed to have scaled a gate at the back of the house, entering the property through an open patio door and when the victim walked into her hallway she was confronted by Adamson coming out of her living room.

“She was startled by him and he put his hand on her shoulder and said, ‘Do you recognise me? Have I got the wrong address?” said Mr Barrett.

The pensioner asked him to leave and opened the front door for him. He left empty-handed.

CCTV from neighbouring properties showed Adamson acting suspiciously in the area and he was arrested the next day, still wearing the same clothing.

In a victim statement, read out in court, the pensioner told how she was left feeling shocked by the incident and now wants to move house.

Within minutes of leaving the house Adamson was committing crime again, this time stealing sunglasses, worth £160, and a purse from an unlocked car at nearby Broad Walk.

Some of the items from the car were found on Adamson when he was arrested.

The court heard how Adamson, of Higher Southfield, Westhoughton, has already accumulated 59 previous convictions for 111 offences, including five burglary convictions.

Mark Stephenson, defending, said that he has spent so long in prison that he has become institutionalised and struggles to cope when allowed out into the community.

“Prison is the only place that the feels able to get through the day without difficulties,” said Mr Stephenson.

He added that, when he was released from his most recent sentence, his brother had recently died, he had nowhere permanent to live and little support and so returned to taking drugs.

Adamson, who appeared in court for sentencing via a video link from prison, was said to be remorseful.

“When he is not using drugs he is a sensible, polite gentleman,” said Mr Stephenson.

Sentencing the thief, Judge Gilbart told him: “You have a quite appalling record for offences of this nature.”