A burglar has been jailed for 3 years after breaking into a house in broad daylight while the occupants walked their dog
Patrick Maloney (20) of no fixed abode appeared before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing after breaking into a property on Whiston Grange on December 9th last year.
At around 3:30pm, neighbours of the property heard an alarm sounding and saw two men running from the property and into a black Jaguar car.
The neighbours called the police and went to check on the property to discover the offenders gained entry by smashing a rear glass door and climbing through.
A police spokesperson said “The occupants of the house also had an alert on their mobile phones that their alarm had been activated, and after rushing home, they were met by police officers and saw that their home had been ransacked.”
“The offenders, one of which is now known to be Maloney, stole a pillow case and sewing box.”
At the scene an e-cigarette was recovered and forensics matched the DNA from the e-cigarette to Maloney.
Maloney pleaded guilty to the charges of burglary. He appeared before court on 13 September and was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay a £190 victim surcharge.
Rotherham Neighbourhood Inspector Chris Blake said: “In this case the offenders didn’t get away with any items of monetary or sentimental value but the psychological effects of burglary are still significant. Victims suffer for years knowing that an intruder has been in their home, they no longer feel safe in a place that they should.
“The safety features within this home, and those of surrounding homes including video door bells and CCTV, enabled officers to quickly piece together the circumstances, and it is no doubt that the property’s alarm system made those inside the property flee. Installing equipment to protect your property is a great investment.
“I am pleased at Maloney has been sentenced to time in prison and those that are preying on our communities are put before the courts.”
