A WOMAN who lent money to a man who had lost his job said she was in “total disbelief” after he later broke into her home with a crowbar in an attempt to steal from her.

Darren Thomas, of The Tything, Worcester, repaid the kindness of neighbour Georgia Davies, who had lent him £5, by breaking into her flat in Moor Street in The Tything.

The 35-year-old, who is now in a wheelchair after suffering a crush injury to his foot, admitted the burglary on May 7. The court was told that Ms Davies had left her flat secure the day before the burglary, but returned home to find her belongings had been moved and the wardrobe in her bedroom had been pulled over.

There was also a note from the police asking her to get in touch with them.

Liam Finch, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, reading from the statement of the victim, said: “I’m in total disbelief of this. He came knocking on my door and I invited him in. I lent him £5 and gave him a beer. He stayed for five minutes then left. I can’t believe he has done this to me.”

There was no evidence that anything was stolen and the burglary was reported by a neighbour.

Thomas has 15 convictions for 22 offences, most of them before the year 2000, with some cases involving dishonesty and drugs, Mr Finch said.

The offences after that time include driving with excess alcohol and matters of public order. Barry Newton, defending, said Thomas had suffered a severe crush injury to his ankle and was wheelchair-bound. He also lost his job in November.

He said: “He stupidly went to her address, but didn’t steal anything because a neighbouring flat occupant notified police.”

Thomas was electronically tagged and must adhere to a daily curfew between 7pm and 7am for 16 weeks. He was also ordered to pay £72 compensation to the housing association for the damage to the door and £85 costs.