A BURGLAR broke into his ex-partner’s flat while she was being treated in hospital and stole her possessions.

Warren Spencer’s victim, who has cancer told Bolton Crown Court that she believes he smashed his way into her property because he thought she was dead.

Kate Gaskell, prosecuting, told how Spencer was spotted by a woman on Crossdale Road, Breightmet at 3.30pm on May 24.

“She initially thought he was outside, approaching a skip near the property, going through it and taking a number of items and filling a carrier Bag with them,” said Miss Gaskell.

But as she watched she saw Spencer go to the side of a flat and smash a window.

“”He began to pick out shards of glass and then climbed through,” added Miss Gaskell.

The quick-thinking onlooker managed to take Spencer’s photograph and called police.

Miss Gaskell told how the property was unoccupied at the time as the woman who lives there was in hospital.

Her brother was looking after the property on her behalf, ensuring it was kept clean and tidy and went to the scene where police gave him bags which contained her possessions including letters, make-up, clothing and a tablet, together worth £100.

The court heard that Spencer and the woman had been in a relationship, but it ended three years ago.

“She ended it when the defendant last went to prison and she hasn’t seen him since around September 2021,” said Miss Gaskell.

In a victim statement read out in court the woman stated: “This incident has upset me. My family have been trying to clean up my flat and fix this for me while I have been in hospital.”

Miss Gaskell added: ”She thinks that perhaps the defendant thought she had passed away and he was trying to take advantage and take belongings from her.”

The Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Martin Walsh was told that Spencer, who pleaded guilty to burglary has six previous convictions for similar offences.

Hayley Bennett, defending, said that Spencer, of Cherryton Avenue, Bolton has been plagued by mental and physical problems.

At the time of the latest burglary Spencer, who only has one eye as a result of an acid attack, was suffering a schizophrenic episode after he failed to take his medication and has been addicted to heroin since the age of 13.

She added that he is now back on his medication and his condition has improved and hopes to be a positive father-figure to his current partner’s young daughter.

Spencer was sentenced to 876 days in prison