Man attempting burglary caught by doorbell video

A man has been found guilty of attempted burglary after video doorbell footage captured him attempting to break into two homes.

Andrew Green, 52, was arrested outside the house in Eastfield, Peterborough, on May 5 and charged with attempted burglary.

He was released on bail, but was arrested again on June 30 when he was caught trying to break into another house in the same neighborhood.

Green, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months, suspended for two years, when he appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday.

Cambridge police said the first victim saw Green trying to use a doorknob and then wiping it with his sleeve after discovering it was locked on May 5.

When officers arrived at the property, Green, who had a prior burglary conviction, told them he was “looking for work.”

In the second incident, a man returned home at 1:30 p.m. BST when he found Green behind a bush near his garage.

He attempted to question the would-be burglar, but Green became aggressive and made threats.

Video footage from the doorbell again caught him trying the door handle at that home before trying to enter his garage.

Green admitted to additional charges of attempted burglary with intent to steal, burglary with intent to steal and threatening or abusive behavior.

He told the judge at Cambridge Crown Court it was a “slip of the tongue” and claimed it was not a return to his “old ways”.

Green was also ordered to complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a six-month drug treatment requirement.