Sheffield Crown Court has heard some have received extensive custodial terms because they already have poor criminal records or because they went armed or targeted elderly or disabled victims.
One jailed offender was armed with a knife when he attacked his victim and stole his wedding ring, and another burglar threatened teenagers during a separate break-in.
A serial burglar also preyed upon a cerebral palsy victim in his own home, while a further burglar was jailed in another case after she had posed as a carer while targeting elderly people.
But judges have been vigilant in considering the full circumstances when imposing appropriate sentences to properly punish some of these offenders.
1. Steven Watson
Knife-wielding burglar Steven Watson, pictured, was jailed after he forced his way into a man’s home in Barnsley with an accomplice before attacking his victim and stealing his wedding ring and a TV. Watson, aged 41 at the time of sentencing in August, of Castleford Road, Normanton, near Leeds, was given an extended custodial sentence of 12 years after he pleaded guilty to the aggravated burglary on Carlton Road, Barnsley, while he was armed with a knife and the occupants were at home. Photo: SYP
2. James Dixon
Serial burglar James Dixon, pictured, was captured on a security camera and by a trail of DNA after he had preyed upon a cerebral palsy sufferer in his own home. Dixon, aged 39 when sentenced in September, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to three years of custody after he pleaded guilty to burgling a disabled man's adapted flat at Shaftesbury Square, near Eastwood, Rotherham, while the occupant was at home. Photo: SYP
3. Toni Machin
Repeat burglar Toni Machin, pictured, posed as a carer as she conned her way into the homes of elderly victims. Machin, aged 33 when sentenced in August, formerly of Guild Road, at East Dene, Rotherham, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to six years of custody after she pleaded guilty to five counts of dwelling burglary at elderly victims' homes in Rotherham. Prosecuting barrister Tom Jackson said: “Once gaining access to their homes, the defendant has then stolen valuable items having distracted all of the victims.” Photo: SYP
4. Dane Shaw
Sheffield Crown Court heard that burglar Dane Shaw, pictured, was jailed for 13 years after he threatened two teenagers with a knife and made them call their father when he could not find anything valuable in their home. Shaw, formerly of Slingsby Place, Sheffield, burst into the rooms of two 18-year-olds and threatened them with a knife during the home invasion, according to the court. Police confirmed Shaw fled the scene with cash, jewellery and a mobile phone after a confrontation with the teenagers' father as he returned home. Shaw was found guilty of the aggravated burglary charge following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court. Photo: SYP