A man believed to have targeted a victim to burgle because they are classified “vulnerable” has been sentenced to five years in prison.

Perry Lewis Middlemass burgled a house in Battersea in May 2016, stealing a laptop, phone and wallet.

However, he was disturbed by the occupant in the process who recognised him. Police believe Middlemass deliberately targeted his victim because they are classed as a vulnerable adult.

Whilst in prison awaiting trial, he sent a threatening letter to the victim, demanding they withdraw their statement otherwise he would allege they had committed a crime in retaliation.

When the trial began in November last year at the Old Bailey, Middlemass did in fact make criminal allegations against the victim, which left the jury unable to reach a decision.

After looking into Middlemas’s movements on the day of the burglary, detectives from Wandsworth CID were able to prove that the allegations he made against the victim were false.

After a retrial, Middlemass was convicted of burglary on January 13.

His sentence, which was handed down on June 12 at the Old Bailey, was longer than usual given he was a ‘three strike burglar’ who had targeted a vulnerable victim.

Middlemass received a further two years imprisonment as he refused to leave his cell for the sentencing. The sentences will run consecutively, giving him a total of seven years in prison.

Middlemass was also charged with Perverting the Course of Justice, after his false allegations against the vicitm. He pleaded guilty to these charges at Kingston Crown court on April 11.

DI Helen Rance from Wandsworth CID said: “The victim should be credited for their determination and bravery giving evidence during two trials despite Perry Middlemass’s allegations and attempts to intimidate them into retracting their statement.

“The persistence of the victim and the tenacity of the officer in the case, DC GOSS, to pursue this case to its conclusion despite its challenges is reflected in the considerable sentence handed down by the court.”