A man who blamed his ex-partner for the death of his dog has today been jailed for 12 months after carrying out a premeditated attack on her property.
Keith Anthony Jones, 37, targeted two buildings at Lucie Clayton’s rural home nearHolywell , Flintshire , in a burglary described by a judge as being “more akin to stalking or harassment”.
The defendant also sabotaged the mother-of-two's horse riding equipment, slashed the tyres on her Land Rover and damaged a CCTV system during the planned attack in the early hours of May 27 last year.
Prosecutor David Mainstone told Chester Crown Court, sitting as Mold, that Jones and Ms Clayton had been in a relationship for 18 months but had split five weeks before the offences were committed.
He had left behind three dogs, two of which were later re-homed by Ms Clayton and one which was very ill.
She tried to contact Jones, of Gerrig Street, St Asaph, to find out what he wanted to do about the poorly pet but got no response.
Mr Mainstone says she eventually had to make the decision to have the dog put down and relayed this information back to the defendant through his sister.
The court heard that Jones became “agitated” and posted on Facebook that Ms Clayton was a “dog killing b****”.
Tyres and riding equipment damaged
On the morning of May 27 the victim, who works with horses at her home address, woke to find her tyres had been slashed and when she checked her CCTV footage, she saw the defendant and another male enter two buildings separate from her home.
Jones, armed with a stanley knife, broke into a tack house and slashed a leather saddle as well as causing subtle damage to reins which could have resulted in an accident had the victim not noticed, Mr Mainstone told the court.
The defendant also gained entry to an outhouse and turned off the freezer inside before damaging cables to the CCTV system.
In total the damage caused amounted to hundreds of pounds.
Reading the victim impact statement, Mr Mainstone said the relationship ended suddenly because of “trivial matters” neither could agree on.
He added: “He made no attempt to make up with her. The attacks have left her feeling very, very nervous. She can only assume he’s done it because he’s angry about the loss of his dog.
“She’s been suffering from nightmares and the children have also been affected. They keep checking the cameras and locks.”
Guilty plea
Jones had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary with intent to cause criminal damage and two counts of criminal damage.
Andrew Green, defending, said the offences committed were “very much out of character” for his “hardworking” client.
He added: “The dog was bought as a puppy during that relationship. It was a very young animal when it was put down.
“It was an animal he was very close to. It’s not an excuse but it was the explanation behind it. He didn’t at any point enter or seek to enter her home.”
Restraining order
Sentencing Jones, Judge Rhys Rowlands said: “It was more akin to stalking or harassment than a standard burglary.
“Instead of moving on and leaving her alone you chose to intimidate her. It appears you were blaming her for the death of a dog left with her.”
Jones was also issued with a five year restraining order, with one of the conditions preventing him from making any contact with Ms Clayton or her children.
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/jail-burglar-who-attacked-ex-11079007
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