A prolific burglar has been jailed for six years after leaving a woman in need of hospital treatment when he injured her as he fled her flat.
Adam Persad, 60, of Beaufort Road, St Leonards, burgled three of his neighbours last summer, stealing a watch, a handbag, cash and bank cards.
Persad denied using violence when he burgled Rose Marie Martin but was found guilty by a jury when he was tried at Lewes Crown Court in January.
He pleaded not guilty to two other burglaries but was convicted of those too by the jury.
Persad admitted fraud by false representation after using the stolen bank cards at Silverhill petrol filling station, in Sedlescombe Road North, St Leonards.
He also admitted stealing a jacket and a wallet containing £150 cash from Shayan Hafezghoran, in a business premises, in Queen’s Road, Hastings, last May, and pleaded guilty to having cannabis.
Sussex Police said: “One resident woke to find him in her kitchen and needed hospital treatment when he injured her arm as he moved her out of the way to leave.
“She later found her handbag had been stolen.
Persad, also of Hidaburn Court, in Aldrington Road, Streatham, London, was jailed at Lewes Crown Court by Judge Mark Van Der Zwart on Monday (3 March).
Detective Constable Billy McLaren said: “He was an opportunist who took advantage of people’s trust to steal their cash and bank cards.”
