Bungling burglar had victim's flat screen TV in his home

The haul included a flat screen TV which the victim saw was in Reece Allen's home when she returned from holiday, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The 23-year-old struck at Charles Wesley Court off Claremont Road, Merridale while she was away and reported the window he broke to gain access. The council had boarded it up before she got back.

"There had been an untidy search and she found property strewn about the floor," said Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting, who added jewellery and other items of sentimental value had been stolen between April 27 and May 14. The total value was not known.

Mr Soulsby continued: "The neighbour had her suspicions when she returned home and these were confirmed when she saw the flat screen TV the people next door had acquired in her absence." Further proof came when the fingerprints of the defendant were later found on a plastic bag discovered at her address.

Stained

Mr David Farley, defending, said Allen's life had been 'stained' by drugs which meant he could be coerced into committing crime to pay off a debt owed to his dealers.

The defendant will not be returning to his former home after his release from prison, the court heard. He was recalled to jail following his arrest because the latest crime broke the terms of the licence imposed when he was released early from period of custody imposed for a previous offence. He had stopped taking drugs and wanted to move out of the area when set free again, revealed Mr Farley.

Allen was given an additional 13 month jail sentence suspended for 18 months with 100 hours unpaid work for the latest burglary.

His victim said in a statement: "Since this happened my quality of life has diminished. I am constantly on edge in my own home which should never be the case."