Robert David Norris was jailed at Swansea Crown Court
A BURGLAR who stole treasured Second World War medals from a veteran in his 80s has been jailed - even though he returned them after being tracked down by police.
Robert David Norris was jailed for the Port Talbot raid and for one on a house in the Dulais Valley which saw him stealing everything from jewellery to marriage and shotgun licences, an iPad and even a washing basket.
Swansea Crown Court heard they were not the first offences committed by Norris who has a "long career in crime".
Norris, from Penlan in Swansea, was caught following an investigation involving CCTV evidence, mobile phone location data, and forensics - detective work praised by the sentencing judge.
Matthew Roberts, prosecuting, said Norris' first burglary happened in Dyffryn Cellwen in September last year - after the homeowner left for work in the morning the defendant kicked-in a door at the Main Road property and ransacked a number of rooms, making off with a haul of items including cash, jewellery of great sentimental value, personal documents including passports, a marriage licence, shotgun licence and birth certificate, hair dressing equipment and iPad and MacBook devices.
The barrister said Norris was linked to the crime after a dog walker found a washing basket and a glove on a nearby hillside - police recovered Norris' DNA from the glove, and it is thought he used the victim's washing basket from the garden to carry-off his ill-gotten gains.
The court heard police were also able to show Norris' mobile phone had been in the area of the burglary at the relevant time.
The second burglary happened in Heol Camlas, Cwmavon, in November.
Mr Roberts said Norris took a safe from the home of a pensioner which contained around £700 and three war medals.
Police officers identified Norris from CCTV from another house in the street, as well as being able to place his mobile phone in the vicinity.
Norris, aged 36, of Eppynt Road, Penlan, Swansea, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary when he appeared in the dock for sentencing.
The court heard Norris has an "extensive" record for a "whole host of offences" from driving matters to criminal damage and acquisitive offences. He also has convictions for two previous burglaries in 2012 and 2013. During one of his previous break-ins he was disturbed by the homeowner, and was found to be wearing socks on his hands to try to cover his tracks.
Judge Peter Heywood told Norris he had a "long career in crime", and that "one could only image the upset" caused to the Cwmavon veteran by having his medals stolen. However, he said he accepted Norris was genuinely remorseful for what he had done, and that it was to his credit that he had subsequently returned the medals.
Norris was jailed for 876 days.
Judge Heywood added that the officers involved in the investigation should be commended for their dedication and skill.
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/burglar-with-long-career-in-crime-stole-wwii-medals-from-veteran/story-29788030-detail/story.html#MUpddrOIDAczGT8l.99
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