Witney burglar raided home and stole goods worth thousands

Career criminal Stuart Glen, of Windrush Valley Road, Witney, was set to stand trial for the single count of burglary but later admitted carrying out the break-in.

Oxford Crown Court heard at his sentencing today how the 24-year old had crept into the address in Witney on June 19 before ransacking the home and stealing various items including electronic devices and jewellery.

Prosecutors said at the hearing that he had left his victim roughly £1,000 out of pocket in items which police were unable to recover.

Glen, the court heard, also had a long history of offending including four burglaries, and had already served time in prison for various offences.

In mitigation, his defence barrister Charlotte Mitchell-Dunn urged the court to consider allowing Glen to serve just a few months in prison in order to prove that he could tackle his offending and his drug habit while inside, but the judge said the offence had to be marked with a lengthy custodial sentence.

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle QC said: “You went to that property and stole a large number of items from the owners leaving them distressed and upset.

“You have an incredibly poor record for offences. You have more offences recorded against you than you have years on this earth. You must understand that unless you get a grip on your own drug problem you are going to have increasingly long sentences imposed.”

Glen was jailed for 50 months.

Investigating officer, detective constable Steve Bates, based at Witney police station, said: “Burglary is a horribly invasive crime and Glen broke into the home of a couple while they were out, stealing items of jewellery and silver.

“This property was recovered at Glen’s home, and given the evidence, a guilty plea was inevitable.

“Thames Valley Police will always investigate burglaries thoroughly and deal with offenders robustly.

“I am pleased that Glen has now been sentenced and will be in prison for a significant period of time.”