Swansea,South Wales - Couple jailed for drunken raid on homes in Swansea

Nigel Brace and Elaine Carmody were jailed at Swansea Crown Court

DRUNKEN intruders who entered houses and confronted residents in search of things to steal to feed their alcohol addiction have been handed substantial jail sentences.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Nigel Brace and Elaine Carmody were in Fforestfach on October 18 "under the influence of drink and drugs and in need of money to fund their addiction."

They went to Llwyn Derw where Brace pulled his jumper up over his face to try to hide his identity and entered a house demanding money from the homeowner, who shared the property with her elderly mother. Carmody joined-in the raid, but the victim managed to physically push them out of the house before they could steal anything.

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However, instead of fleeing the scene they entered a neighbouring house on Llwyn Derw - the man who lived with his three children found Brace standing in the hallway "clearly under the influence of drink".

Catherine Richards, for the prosecution, said a number of people in the street called police about what was going on, and officers tracked the couple down to a nearby park - Brace ran at a PC who "knocked him down to subdue him" and the couple were arrested.

Brace, aged 34, of Clyne Court, Sketty Park, had previously pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and burglary, and 30-year-old Carmody, of the same address, to burglary - on a basis that she became involved in the incidents under pressure from her partner - when they appeared in court today.

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The court heard Brace has 32 previous convictions for 98 offences - including for possession of drugs, violence, burglary and theft, and had been handed a suspended sentence for shoplifting just weeks before the incidents in Llwyn Derw. Carmody has offences including violence, public order matters and anti-social behaviour on her record and was also on a recently imposed suspended sentence at the time.

Judge Keith Thomas said victims found the violation of their property by strangers a frightening experience, and that was even more so when they were present when it happened and when there were other family members at home too.

He jailed Brace for a total of 50 months, and Carmody for a total of 35 months.

The judge told them he hoped they would get the help they need to tackle their alcohol addictions while behind bars.

Jason Evans / jason.evans@swwmedia.co.uk / @EvansTheCrime

News from the courts / News from Fforestfach / News from Sketty Park

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