A burglar who sneaked into an elderly couple’s home in Brentwood and helped himself to a glass of brandy has been jailed.

Colin McIvor, 47 of Station Road in Upminster appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday (February 28) where he was sentenced to four years in prison after a jury found him guilty. 

A probe was launched by Essex Police on May 21 in 2023 after reports of a burglary that happened on Cleve Avenue at around 11.30pm.

The victims, an elderly man and his wife, were sleeping at the time when they were woken up by a man standing next to their bed.

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Essex Police said man- since named as McIvor- claimed to be in the house to give the couple their medication but he left when confronted.

Officers attended the address and found that £40 in cash had been stolen. In addition, the police saw that a brandy bottle and a used glass had been left on the side.

A fingerprint analysis of the glass by officers identified Colin McIvor as the suspect. They carried out CCTV enquiries further that showed Mclvor near the house around the time.

Essex Police arrested him four days later on suspicion of burglary in a dwelling. When officers interrogated him, the force said McIvor tried to claim that the victim had invited him into his flat to drink brandy.

He was however charged and sentenced for the crime. Detective Constable Joshua Yelland said:

“McIvor broke into the home of two vulnerable people, one of whom was requiring medical care.

“He tried to manipulate them into thinking he was there to give medication before he stole £40 and helped himself to a drink”.