Wolverhampton burglar back behind bars after going straight for 20 years
A criminal who went straight for almost 20 years was back behind bars today after returning to crime.
John Donaghy raided a house in Wolverhampton on February 27 and took £15,000 worth of goods, the city's Crown Court heard.
The haul included jewellery and computer equipment and was sold to feed his drug addiction. Donaghy has been jailed for 18 months.
Less than three weeks earlier the 42-year-old had handled goods - including irreplaceable photographs - taken during another burglary.
The stolen pictures were of the victim's mother and had been taken a fortnight before her death, revealed Mr Mark Phillips prosecuting.
Also snatched in that February 11 raid were electrical goods and jewellery of great sentimental value, continued the prosecutor.
Mr Stephen Bailey, defending, said Donaghy had not offended for nearly 20 years before returning to crime to pay for his drug habit.
The defendant, from Highfield Court, Leasowes Drive, Merry Hill, Wolverhampton, admitted burglary, handling stolen goods and possession of a small amount of cocaine.
He was jailed by Judge Nicholas Webb who pointed out that a significant amount of the goods stolen by Donaghy had subsequently been recovered by police investigating the incident.
