Woman Commended for Confronting Bedroom Burglar

A judge has commended a woman for her courage after she woke to discover an intruder in her bedroom. Kenneth Musgrave, 46, was apprehended by the woman during a series of burglaries he committed in Sunderland alongside his accomplice, William Warwick, in March, according to proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court. Judge Gavin Doig stated that the victim was “understandably petrified” yet demonstrated “enormous presence of mind and courage” by yelling at Musgrave until he departed. The two individuals from Sunderland, who possess numerous prior convictions, pleaded guilty to burglary and each received a sentence of two years and four months in prison. Prosecutor Kelly Clarke reported that on the night of 4 March, Warwick was captured on doorbell camera footage entering a garden and attempting to open the door handles of two residences within the city. Approximately at 00:20 BST, the two men forcibly entered a property on Reading Road, where they searched drawers and rooms before absconding with three rucksacks filled with items, including bank cards and other crucial documents, as presented in court. Roughly 40 minutes subsequent to this, a woman was roused from sleep by the sound of her bedroom door opening, the court was informed. Ms Clarke stated that the victim, whose son and grandson were also present in the residence, observed Musgrave in her doorway and instructed him to depart. The prosecutor noted that the woman was “petrified” but continued to shout until he made his escape. Subsequently, she discovered her living room in “disarray” and a beverage from her refrigerator partially consumed, according to court testimony. Musgrave, identified as a father of three, and Warwick were apprehended at a nearby BP garage. Both individuals informed officers that they had been under the influence of alcohol and drugs, the court was told. In a statement presented to the court, the woman conveyed that she had been left feeling “terrified and physically sick” and that her feeling of security within her own home had been destroyed. “Anything could have happened to me or my kids,” she stated, further remarking: “I should never ever be made to feel like this in my own home.” The victim of the initial burglary reported that he and his family had been “shaken” and were now making plans to relocate. Ms Clarke detailed that Musgrave, residing at Wembley Close, had 32 convictions for a total of 144 offences, which included numerous burglaries, while Warwick, of Rutherglen Road, had 73 convictions for 158 offences. Judge Doig characterized the burglaries as “extremely serious” and noted that the woman who woke to discover Musgrave in her bedroom was “understandably petrified”. “Very bravely she shouted at [Musgrave] to get out,” the judge commented, further adding that she displayed “enormous presence of mind and courage”. Information regarding BBC Sunderland can be found on X, Facebook, Nextdoor, and Instagram. Story ideas may be submitted to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content hosted on external sites. Details regarding the approach to external linking are available.