By Harriet Hernando A serial burglar killed a 'defenceless' elderly widow - just 12 days after a court let him back out on the streets. Peter Harris, 33, who was on bail following a stint in prison for burglary, barged into the home of Elsie Mowbray, 87, on New Year’s Day after pretending he was looking for a rabbit in her garden. But the stealing spree was interrupted when Mrs Mowbray’s son Richard turned up with her daily newspaper at her home in York. Shameless: Drug addict Peter Harris, 33, burgled widow Elsie Mowbray, 87, less than a fortnight after a court freed him on bail
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Peter Harris was on bail following a stint in prison for burglary at the time
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He burgled Elsie Mowbray, 87, just 12 days after magistrates freed him
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Harris went on to rob £40 from a baby girl's money box on the same day
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Police found Harris, 33, hiding under his bed and he was jailed for 12 years
Elsie Mowbray
Mowbray
Elsie Mowbray
Elsie Mowbray
Throughout the ordeal, subsequent criminal investigation and court processes, @placeholder’s family have shown great dignity and composure.