A “seasoned and professional” burglar who ransacked his own sister’s house has been jailed for four years.
David Miller, 40, of Boston Gate, Wrexham, denied burglary but was convicted by a jury at Mold Crown Court.
His “terrible” record meant he was a three-striker, which meant he faced a statutory minimum three-year sentence for the burglary.
Judge Geraint Walters imposed the three years with two consecutive six-month sentences for a commercial burglary which Miller had previously admitted and for being in breach of a previously suspended sentence.
The judge said Miller would have plenty of time to reflect about his future during his sentence.
He warned him that the starting point for any future burglary would be three years, and it was likely to be longer.
“You are now 40 and you don’t need me to tell you that you have a terrible record,” the judge told him.
The court heard Miller acted as he did because of his drug dependency.
Judge Walters said Miller had ransacked his sister’s home, stolen valuable items from her, and then made her give evidence in court.
The jury heard Miller had accepted handling property stolen from his sister’s home but had denied being the burglar.
Victim Karen Miller told the court the burglary had had a marked effect upon her.
She was called home from work after the burglary was discovered on September 16.
The court heard there had been “pure ransacking” of the property, and cables had been pulled off the wall where electrical items had been taken.
Prosecuting barrister Anna Price said a witness went to the defendant’s home and accused him of stealing from his sister.
The defendant had denied it but appeared to be “off his face” on drugs.
The police were alerted and it was alleged he was trying to hide property.
Some of the stolen property was recovered at his home.
Interviewed, Miller claimed to have met a traveller girl who wanted to sell some property.
He said he had not realised it was stolen and had agreed to take her to someone who may be interested in purchasing them, but that person was unavailable.
He had kept some of the property at his home but was not trying to hide it, he said.
At one stage in his interview, he said he had taken tablets and a bag of heroin and could not remember what he had done that day, but he denied being the burglar.
The defendant called his mum, who lived close to his sister. She told the jury that she had seen another man, who she named, at the burgled property.
Defending barrister Michael Whitty said it was his client’s case that, while he was guilty of handling property from his sister’s home, he had not been the burglar
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wrexham-burglar-who-ransacked-sisters-11256806
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