A woman in Abbey Wood has been left emotionally scarred after waking up to find a burglar inside her home. Reuben Lloyd Johnson, 31, has been sentenced to jail for the break-in, which occurred on Rushdene last year.

The incident unfolded when the victim, who had gone to bed with her property secure, awoke to find Johnson standing in her house. Johnson, upon being confronted, attempted to excuse himself, claiming he had entered the wrong house, mistaking it for a friend’s. Despite his apologies, the woman later discovered that headphones, speakers, bags, a tablet, and cash were missing from her home.

Prosecutor Jade Sodipo relayed a victim impact statement in court, highlighting the profound impact of the burglary on the woman’s life. She expressed feelings of fear, anxiety, shame, and helplessness, noting that simple tasks which were once routine now feel daunting.

Johnson’s criminal activities extended beyond this single incident. Just over a week before the Abbey Wood burglary, on April 29 last year, he attempted to burglarize three homes on Tanhurst Walk. These attempts were thwarted after a vigilant neighbour, observing through CCTV, alerted residents to Johnson’s presence.

Subsequently, Johnson committed further burglaries in Reading, leading to his eventual arrest and sentencing. The court heard that Johnson was under the influence of crack cocaine during his offending, using burglary as a means to make money.

In mitigation, the court learned of Johnson’s troubled background, characterized by neurological atypicality and a traumatic childhood marked by addiction and serious head injury.

Appearing at Woolwich Crown Court on May 9, 2024, Johnson pleaded guilty to four counts of attempted burglary and one count of burglary, all in Abbey Wood. Judge Nicholas Heathcote Williams acknowledged Johnson’s demeanour as “pleasant but disinhibited” but emphasized the severity of his repeated dwelling burglaries.

Consequently, Johnson received a further eight-month prison sentence, to be served on top of the existing two years and four months he was previously given.

The sentencing marks a resolution for the victim, yet serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of burglary on individuals and communities.