The serial burglar had stolen a VW Up from a student house on Bayswater Road in Jesmond after he took the keys from the kitchen counter. Shortly after, Hearn crashed the car on Osborne Road.
Hearn previously had dozens of convictions of burglary, the very first one being from 1998, and primarily targeted student houses. Before the crime in Jesmond, Hearn stole a Playstation 5 and a passport from a student house in Heaton. Later he was found passed out in a bush due to drug usage and taken to the hospital.
Hearn, of Springwell Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to two burglaries and aggravated vehicle theft. His jail sentence is three years and four months and he has been banned from driving for a year.
Hearn expressed remorse for his actions. The defending, Shaun Routledge, described Hearn’s behaviour as an obvious pattern tied to his drug problems. Hearn has been addicted to cocaine and valium and commits crimes during these times.
