An eight-year-old boy will not go to sleep by himself following an attempted burglary at his father's Norwich home, a court has heard.

When he is at school the child "worries about his dad" following the attempted raid at the property.

Newmarket Road, NorwichNewmarket Road, Norwich (Image: Google) Norwich Crown Court heard Joel Lawrence, 51, had tried to open the door handle to the home on Newmarket Road.

Norwich Crown CourtNorwich Crown Court (Image: Newsquest) Martin Ivory, prosecuting, said the owner saw the defendant "exiting his driveway" prompting him to review his doorbell camera footage.

It showed Lawrence trying door handles on February 12 this year.

The homeowner contacted the police to report what had happened. 

In a statement to the court, he said his eight year old son would not go to bed on his own and worried about his father while at school following the raid.

Lawrence, formerly of William Kett Close, Norwich, appeared at court having admitted attempted burglary.

He also admitted another offence of attempted burglary, also on Newmarket Road, Norwich in February, when he tried door handles and an offence of going equipped to steal after he was found with a torch, snippers and gloves. 

Duncan O'Donnell, mitigating, said "trying doors" was the "extent of his activities".

He said Lawrence had spent "most of his adult life in either Young Offenders' Institutions or prison" and "needs help and wants help" with his offending and drugs problem.

He said Lawrence can see his life "slipping away" and "wants to turn over a new leaf".

Lawrence, who has been working in the kitchens at HMP Norwich and appeared via videolink wearing chef whites, told the judge he felt "institutionalised".

He said it has had an impact on him and means he struggles outside but wants "one opportunity" and "some support".

Imposing a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, Judge Alice Robinson urged the defendant to "take advantage of the opportunity" she had given him and remember it was his responsibility to ensure this does not happen again.

Lawrence was also ordered to carry out 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) and made the subject of a 12 month drug rehabilitation order.