Burglar Jailed After Breaking Into Home of Vulnerable Newcastle Man and Stealing Falls Alarm

WALKER, Newcastle — A vulnerable elderly resident has been left feeling unsafe in his own home after a burglar smashed a bathroom window to gain entry, stealing vital safety equipment and a mobile phone.

The Break-In

The burglary occurred on May 2, 2025, at the home of a 64-year-old man in Walker, Newcastle. The victim, who suffers from a neurodegenerative disease that severely limits his cognitive ability and mobility, lives alone and relies on carers. Due to a high risk of falling, he wears a dedicated falls alarm.

The victim was woken up by a loud noise and investigated to find his bathroom window smashed. The intruder had fled, but had taken the victim's mobile phone and the wrist strap for his falls alarm. In a statement read to Newcastle Crown Court, the victim said the burglary had left him feeling uneasy and highly vulnerable in his own home.

Sentence and Criminal Background

The perpetrator, 20-year-old Saad El Bacha, of Ponteland, was identified and arrested. At the time of the offense, El Bacha was already serving a suspended sentence for theft and had 15 previous convictions on his record. His defense counsel stated that El Bacha had no memory of the burglary due to substance issues and described a difficult background.

Recorder Richard Herrmann sentenced El Bacha to two years in prison, stating that the crime had had a dramatic impact on a victim who should have felt safe and secure in his home.