I believe the all encompassing phrase you're seeking is "Trailer Park Trash".
As regards the verdict I think it was the only one that could be arrived at. Whilst I don't want to see the UK legal system descending into the mire within which the USA resides (where you have to put warnings on hot food that it's hot
) I wouldn't want to see it go to the other US extreme; that of people shooting each other defending their VCR. If your life or that of your family is at risk then, yeah, go for it but it can never be worth killing someone over a burglary. It's only "stuff" for heaven's sake. I'm not condoning a soft approach to justice here though. Once these the burgling !!!!!s are caught they need to actually suffer justice not enjoy it. Social workers and do-gooders bemoaning their upbringing and sending them off on safari are not what they need. A good shoeing is.