In court
Jailed for stealing belongings of pensioner's late wife

A RECENTLY-WIDOWED pensioner’s home was broken into and property belonging to his late wife was stolen after members of his family had taken him on holiday.

And when his son was contacted by the police he did not want to tell the 85-year-old what had happened because it would have been so upsetting for him, a judge has heard.

Kyle Smith pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to two charges of burglary at houses in the village of Wolvey and asked for three more burglaries to be taken into consideration.

Smith, 21, of Eskdale, Brownsover, who also admitted of possessing amphetamine and damaging a police car, was jailed for three years.

Prosecutor Aliya Rashid said in July Smith broke into a house in Hall Lane, after the 85-year-old owner, who had recently lost his wife, had been taken on holiday by his son and other family members.

Among the property stolen in the raid was a gold watch which had belonged to his late wife’s mother and which had been passed on to her, and a pair of her earrings.

Also in July Smith broke into another house in Hall Lane, this time at night while the owners were asleep upstairs, by pulling a kitchen window out of its frame.

He and an accomplice stole a handbag, jewellery, a phone and the keys to the couple’s cars – and then drove off in the husband’s Jaguar which had been on the drive, and which has not been recovered.

Smith was arrested after the police went to an address with a search warrant and saw him in a car outside.

He ran off when he saw the officers, but was chased and caught, having discarded a watch and jewellery as he fled.

When he was arrested and searched, he was found to have four bags of amphetamine and £130 in cash on him, and on the way to the police station he headbutted and kicked the door of the police car so hard that it bent out of shape.

Smith admitted taking part in the burglaries, but claimed he was involved with others and that he did not get much benefit from them, and also owned up to three earlier break-ins committed in 2008, last year and earlier this year.

Mrs Rashid added Smith had a conviction in 2007 for a domestic burglary, as well as one for a commercial break-in and for thefts of vehicles.

Jailing Smith, Judge Philip Gregory told him: “Although you are only 21, you already have a lengthy record, including a conviction for a dwelling house burglary.

“I have to deal with you in effect for five more dwelling house burglaries.

“Only a custodial sentence is appropriate, and it has to be a significant one.”