The victims were on holiday at the time of the incidentKathum Abdullatif admitted an offence of burglary on August 25(Image: Hull Live)

A family got a “horrible” and unexpected shock when they suddenly discovered to their horror that their home had been burgled by someone who knew that they were away. All they could do was watch helplessly on a mobile phone app as the raider – a friend of their son – helped himself to their “treasured” possessions.

Among the stolen haul were cherished and irreplaceable cufflinks that one of the occupiers had worn on his wedding day, Hull Crown Court heard. Kathum Abdullatif, 21, of Etherington Road, off Beverley Road, Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted an offence of burglary on August 25.

Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said that the occupiers of a house in Middleham Close, east Hull, were on holiday when they were alerted via a mobile phone app to the presence of trespassers at their home. A rear conservatory window had been smashed and there was glass inside the house.

Drawers had been opened and property was taken, particularly in an upstairs bedroom. The items stolen included two large jewellery boxes, two Pandora boxes, a security camera, aftershave, two games consoles, a silver watch and a large holdall.

Treasured cufflinks that the man living at the house had worn on his wedding day, and which had sentimental value because they had been in the family, were stolen. Blood was left at the scene. A TV had been disconnected, ready to be taken.

Abdullatif was recognised on CCTV pictures because he was a friend of the son of the occupiers. The woman who lived there, a nurse, said that it was “horrible” being on holiday and seeing the family’s home being burgled but not being able to do anything about it.

Since coming home, she had been nervous and was constantly checking doors and windows. “I feel so stressed and worried,” she said.

She had been off work because she felt so ill. “My youngest son was inconsolable when on holiday,” she said.

Abdullatif had convictions for 18 previous offences, mainly for motoring and drugs offences. In April, he had been jailed for 16 weeks for drink-driving and breaching a court order.

Benjamin Donnell, mitigating, said that Abdullatif was on a “slippery slope” into progressing into a life being in and out of custody. “The defendant knows that he needs to do something to change the direction of his life,” said Mr Donnell.

“There is a glimmer that he is taking responsibility for his actions. Immaturity is still a key issue. He is a young man wishing to pull up his boot straps and he realises that he is on a cliff edge.” Abdullatif had been in custody since October.

Recorder Andrew Haslam KC said that Abdullatif was identified by the couple’s son as being a friend of his who would know that the family was away on holiday. “There was an element of pre-planning in your behaviour,” said Recorder Haslam.

“A person’s home is extremely valuable to them, not only in terms of bricks and mortar and its contents, but in emotional attachment. Victims have their home and their privacy invaded by people like you.

“You and maybe others helped yourself to their property. When they came back from their holiday, they were left fearful, not only because of what had happened but what might happen in the future.

“Some people never recover from the effects of a burglary. Imagine coming back from holiday to find that your personal possessions had been looked through by a stranger and that treasured possessions had gone.”

Abdullatif was jailed for 18 months.

At a hearing in May 2024, Abdullatif admitted an offence of affray on June 14, 2023. The court was told that day that he turned violent at a student bar and pulled out a blade during a heated confrontation.

The incident took place in the beer garden of the Sanctuary Bar, a student bar on the campus of the University of Hull. The bar was open to members of the public as well as students.

Abdullatif was in the beer garden with two other men and they were sitting on one of the benches. He approached another table behind them where there were three other men.

Abdullatif pulled an object or a weapon from his trousers and he smashed some glasses on the table as well as threatening people who were there. He backed away and threw a beer glass at the other people present.

Abdullatif left the bar. One of the people there suffered superficial injuries to his hand and he was given first aid. The incident was captured on CCTV and Abdullatif was identified from a still image.

At that hearing, Abdullatif was given 200 hours’ unpaid work and 30 days’ rehabilitation.