A desperate burglar who broke into a Sale house and stole birthday presents and jewellery, as well as taking money, has been jailed for three years.
Carl Leather, 38, of no fixed address, broke into the house on South Grove between 8:30am and 4pm on May 14.
When the homeowner returned he found that drawers, both downstairs and upstairs, had been ‘rummaged through’.
A camera – complete with memory card and batteries – had been taken, along with sentimental items of jewellery including cufflinks, necklaces and earrings.
Also missing was £550 – some of which had been saved to throw a family party – bringing the total worth taken to more than £1200.
Leather – who has previously been before the court on 21 occasions for 58 offences – pleaded guilty to the crime, claiming he had got himself into debt because of drug addiction.
Judge Jonathan Foster QC, sentencing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday, told the defendant: “I don’t need to give you a long lecture about drug addiction.
“It ruins your life, it ruins other people’s lives, and then you ruin other people’s lives by committing these crimes.”
Judge Foster explained to Leather his sentence would have been harsher, had he not pleaded guilty.
“I take into account your guilty plea, and I give you full credit for that,” he said.
“After trial you would have been given four-and-a-half years in prison.
“I sentence you today to three years imprisonment.”
Picture courtesy of Nolene Dowdall, with thanks.
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