Swansea,South Wales - "Experienced burglar" broke into family home while mum and young children slept

James Brittain has been jailed for burglary

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AN "experienced burglar" broke into a house while a mother and her children were asleep and helped himself to a haul including a toasted sandwich maker, food blender, hair straighteners, jewellery and a TV.

Swansea Crown Court heard that James Brittain broke into the Waunarlwydd flat in the early hours of the morning through a window, even opening personal letters he found while the family slept just yards away.

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He let himself out through the front door — leaving it ajar — but was spotted by a neighbour walking down Caergynydd Road with the television under his arm and a carrier bag full of his ill-gotten gains.

Brian Simpson, prosecuting, said police were called and traced the 36-year-old to his partner's house. Next to him on the sofa was a bag containing the stolen items.

Brittain was arrested, but during interview he became "aggressive" and pushed the voice-recording machine off the table and into a policeman, grazing his arm.

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Brittain, of Weig Road, Gendros, pleaded guilty to the March 28 burglary and to assault by beating — the incident in the police station — when he appeared in the dock.

The court heard he had previous convictions for eight house burglaries dating back to when he was aged just 16.

Stuart John, for Brittain, said his client had instructed him that he had no money on the day in question and broke into the house looking for items he could sell on.

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He said Brittain was "disappointed" to find himself in court again, having stayed out of trouble since being released from his last prison sentence in 2012.

Judge Huw Davies QC told Brittain he was "an experienced dwelling house burglar" who had targeted the family knowing there were young children in the flat.

He sentenced Brittain to 36 months in prison for the burglary, and imposed no separate penalty for the assault, questing why the charge had been brought in the first place.

Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Experienced-burglar-broke-family-home-mum-young/story-29212082-detail/story.html#ixzz47ZzBxckE 
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