A man burgled a church in Bolton causing £10,000 of damage before going on to target vulnerable people after being released under investigation by the police.

A judge described the decision not to charge Ryan O’Neill after his first offence as “quite appalling”.

Bolton Crown Court heard he would go on to target sheltered accommodation housing elderly people after being arrested for the church break-in.

O'Neill targeted the St Margaret’s Church, Halliwell, in September 2022.

While there he caused £10,000 of damage and was traced by police after his DNA was found on a cup.

After being arrested he was released under investigation and went on to commit crime, this time targeting the elderly.

He went to the home of an 84-year-old in sheltered accommodation at Kingsbury Court Lodge, Doffcocker, in August 2023.

The woman came out of the bathroom to find him in her bedroom.

She asked what he was doing and he did not answer. He then elbowed her and ran out.

A fingerprint of his was found at the address.

Eleanor Gleason, prosecuting, read a victim impact statement from the woman.

It said: “This incident has left me feeling scared and vulnerable.

“I have lived here for ten years and nothing like this has happened before.

“I am taking steps to get further security.”

O’Neill stuck again at two properties on Spinningfields, Halliwell, Bolton.

In September 2023 a woman, who had recently had a stroke,  found him in her living room and said she would hit him with a stick.

O’Neill ran off and took a bag but nothing of value.

At the same complex the same month he knocked on a door and a woman looked through the spy hole.

She was too frightened to go outside and the DNA of O’Neill was found on a mug belonging to one of the managers.

O’Neill struck again at Jubilee House in the centre of Bolton that month.

He entered and took a handbag and was caught on CCTV.

O’Neill, 45, from Higher Clough Close, Daubhill, appeared in court to be sentenced after admitting five burglaries.

The court heard he had an extensive record of burglaries and theft.

He was arrested over the church incident in April 2023 but released under investigation.

Judge Nicholas Clarke KC blasted this decision.

He said: “I can’t understand how it is that a man with his record, who has caused so much damage, whose DNA was recovered, is released.

“He should have been charged and kept in custody.

“He is let loose to target people in Bolton whom of whom were particularly vulnerable.

“It is quite appalling.”

Read more: Four arrested in dawn raids over county lines dealing

Read more: Shoplifter targeted ten stores in a day

Read more: Anger as teen's killer is released

David Toal, defending, said O'Neill had an extensive drug problem.

He said: “He wants to be clear of drugs.

“He has provided police with apology letters to the victims.”

The judge said the offences were “mean and despicable.”

He jailed him for six years and seven months.