Burglar who ransacked house jailed for 18 months (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Burglar who ransacked house jailed for 18 months
5:27pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News
A BURGLAR who ransacked a couple's new home and left it looking like "a horror scene" was today (Wednesday, March 13) jailed for 18 months.
Irreplaceable items of jewellery were taken in the November raid along with £4,180 in cash, a television and a DVD player.
Teesside Crown Court heard that windows were smashed and drawers and wardrobes had been rifled at the property in Middlesbrough.
The victims - who had been away for the weekend - were said to have been traumatised by the devastation they returned to.
Prosecutor Rachel Masters said they described the aftermath as "a scene of horror" and have felt uneasy ever since the break-in.
Robert Walker, of Haddon Street, Middlesbrough, admitted burglary but said two un-named accomplices took most of the property.
Andrew White, mitigating, said the drunken 37-year-old was "a follower" and all he got from the raid was a lap-top computer.
"He is extremely remorseful about this matter," said Mr White. "He accepts and understands he has committed a very serious offence.
Mr White said since the burglary, Walker had got a job as a painter and decorator, conquered a drug problem and stopped drinking.
The court heard that he has 44 offences on his record - including disorderly conduct, criminal damage and having a prohibited weapon.
Judge Gillian Matthews, QC, told him: "These householders have been caused very considerable distress by your actions.
"Not only have they lost items of property of high sentimental value which cannot be replaced, they have also lost confidence in their home."
Comments(3)
Duke of Aycliffe
says...
7:28pm Wed 13 Mar 13
stevegg wrote:Exactly right, 44 offences so far. Maybe life in prison for these useless habitual offenders. If I was the PM, I'd put them in front of a firing squad...
"He is extremely remorseful about this matter," said Mr White. "He accepts and understands he has committed a very serious offence" - UNTIL THE NEXT TIME THEN!!!.
The usual pathetic execuses trotted out in their defence rewarded by a lenient sentance in which he will be lucky to do 9 months at most. These oxygen thieve drug addicts never reform, their addiction overides everything. The minimum sentance for a house burglary should be 5 years with no remission and drug addicts should be forced to go cold turkey and suffer the consequences. And they wonder why reoffending rates are so high - Get tough!
vercingetorix
says...
11:50pm Wed 13 Mar 13
stevegg says...
5:37pm Wed 13 Mar 13
The usual pathetic execuses trotted out in their defence rewarded by a lenient sentance in which he will be lucky to do 9 months at most. These oxygen thieve drug addicts never reform, their addiction overides everything. The minimum sentance for a house burglary should be 5 years with no remission and drug addicts should be forced to go cold turkey and suffer the consequences. And they wonder why reoffending rates are so high - Get tough!