There is a theory that the criminal will always return to the scene of the crime. This theory rings true in the case of Michael Elkerton who broke into a hospital staff locker. Elkerton was caught when he returned to steal more property.

This Is Leicestershire posted an article covering the crime, noting Elkerton committed the burglary at Glenfield Hospital on Sunday, November 29, just three weeks after being released from jail.

Security staff at the hospital recognized Elkerton from the CCTV footage of the break-in when they noticed him acting suspiciously. Security personnel detained Elkerton, who was loitering by the bike shed, until police arrived.

Elkerton, 27 and a father of two, was jailed for 20 months after committing burglary and theft of two sets of keys from the locker. He told police he was intending to steal a bike to sell for drugs in an effort to support his long-term heroin addiction.

A search of his home recovered a set of car keys and house keys stolen from the staff member’s locker. In addition, Elkerton had a record of more than 54 previous convictions, mainly for offenses of dishonesty.

Passing sentence, Judge Sylvia De Bertodano said: "Over the past eight years, you’ve done little else other than commit these sort of offenses, take drugs and go in and out of prison. I understand it’s a cycle you now want to break. I hope you do that for your family’s sake as much as your own."

Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against Elkerton as individuals with his type of history tend to continue in the same cycle. It is unclear whether or not he will have access to the proper treatment and support to be a success.