A thief who said he was convicted by the Holy Spirit was sentenced by a Mercer County judge on Monday for twice breaking into an 82-year-old Hermitage man’s home.

Gary E. Morton Sr., 35, formerly of Sharon, was sentenced Monday by Common Pleas Judge Thomas R. Dobson to six to 12 years for felony counts of burglary and theft.

Morton broke into John Rendick’s home at 1519 Cranbrook Drive on Sept. 8 and 29 after midnight and in both cases stole the man’s pants and car keys, then made off with his car.

In both cases, Morton kicked the elderly man’s door in. Both times Rendick was sleeping when he was awakened to Morton standing in his bedroom.

But Rendick could not identify Morton at the preliminary hearing. Morton’s defense attorney, Ted Isolde, added that Rendick failed to pick Morton out of a line-up.

“I advised (Morton) not to speak to anybody about the case or write to anyone,” Isolde said Monday. He said because of Morton’s religious background, he felt compelled to speak to police.

“To Mr. Morton’s credit, he committed bad acts, but he came forward and does seem to show sincere regret,” Isolde said.

Dobson said, though, that Rendick “will suffer from this until the day he dies” because of Morton’s breaking into his home twice in the middle of the night to rob him.

Morton apologized for his crimes in court. He added that he didn’t understand the severity of his crimes until he got to county jail, where he read the Bible and “things started coming together.”

He said, “Upon being convicted by the Holy Spirit, I came forward and told the truth,” and confessed his crimes. “I just ask for your mercy,” Morton said to Dobson.

Dobson sentenced Morton to six to 12 years for burglary and two to four years for theft, but made the sentences concurrent to take into account Morton’s confession.

Dobson added that if Morton remains committed to faith it will sustain him in prison.

Police had other evidence that implicated Morton: A witness with Morton Sept. 29 said he saw Morton kick in Rendick’s door and a Southwest Mercer County Regional policeman saw Morton in Rendick’s car on Sept. 8.

Police also found a shoe print on Rendick’s kicked-in door, which appeared to match the tread of shoes Morton wore when arrested Oct. 2.

Morton was also ordered to pay fines, costs and a restitution of $300 to Rendick for damages. He will receive 175 days’ credit for time already served.