Christopher Daniel Bowen was jailed at Swansea Crown Court after burgling three houses in Clydach
A CHRISTMAS burglar who broke into a neighbour's house stole presents, a box of chocolates, a kettle, food from the fridge and a bottle of Cointreau, a court has heard.
Christopher Daniel Bowen broke into three houses in Clydach over the festive period — including one on Christmas Day itself.
Swansea Crown Court heard that when police searched the 29-year-old's house on New Year's Eve they found many of the stolen items — including the missing kettle which was being used in his kitchen — an empty bottle of Cointreau, and gift tags from presents.
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Bowen — now of no fixed abode — pleaded guilty to one count of burglary when he appeared via videolink for sentencing, and asked for another to be taken into consideration, along with the theft of three cars.
He had previously pleaded guilty to another count of burglary.
Dean Pulling, prosecuting, said the first break-in happened on the evening of Christmas Day when he broke into a house in Brynteg, Clydach — the victims returned home while he was inside the property, and after making threats to them he ran-off with Christmas gifts and two laptop computers.
Three days later he broke into a house on Danygraig, the street where he was living at the time, when the victim was out for the night — after smashing his way through a glass panel on a rear door he searched every room of the house, opening cupboards and throwing their contents on the floor as he looked for things to steal.
He eventually took a boxed kettle, chocolates, a bottle of Cointreau, food from the fridge and freezer, presents, cash, and two items of great sentimental value — jewellery belonging to the victim's late mother, and an old pair of binoculars that had belonged to her grandfather.
Bowen struck for the third time on December 31 at a house in neighbouring Heol Graig Felen, when he sneaked into the property while and stole a handbag while the victim's daughter was upstairs.
However, on this occasion he was seen committing the offence.
Mr Pulling said a passer-by saw him leaving the property with the handbag and gave chase through the streets, eventually losing him when the defendant scaled a garden fence.
Police were called and they received a report that the suspect had been seen entering a house on Danygraig — when police arrived they found a shirtless Bowen and his partner in the house, along with some of the stolen items.
Jon Tarrant, for Bowen, said his client was a heroin addict but not been taking his methadone prescription over the Christmas period. The advocate added that the binoculars with the sentimental value had been returned to their rightful owner.
The court heard Bowen has six previous convictions for burglary, along with convictions for handling stolen goods, possession of heroin with intent to supply, theft, and a public order matter.
Bowen was sentenced to a total of 43 months in prison, half of which he will serve in custody.
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/christmas-thief-who-broke-into-three-houses-is-jailed-for-43-months/story-30127212-detail/story.html#rTX8bJMJWdm1sFcb.99
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