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Jail for look-out in £20,000 burglaries

A burglar who stole more than £20,000 in gold jewellery and cash from two Wolverhampton addresses – including the home of a police officer – has been jailed for two years.

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Wolverhampton Crown Court where the case was heard

George Daulat, aged 32, acted as look-out for a gang who trashed the properties during identical break-ins before making off with their booty.

One of the victims said the ordeal had so traumatised her family that two elderly relatives had died shortly afterwards.

In both attacks, the gang gained entry by kicking in a panel in the back door, searched the lofts at both properties and left a trail of devastation behind them.

Judge Peter Barrie said it appeared as though the houses were deliberately targeted by the burglars as both were owned by Asian families, with large amounts of jewellery and cash found in each one.

The first break-in took place in the early evening of March 26 this year on Moseley Road, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Ms Aimee Parkes, prosecuting, said Jasmin Kaur returned at 7.30pm to find the side gate of the property open, knowing it was shut when she left. Inside she discovered items strewn around as the burglars had hunted for valuables.

Amongst the jewellery stolen were gold earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets, totalling £14,000 in value, as well as £1,500 cash.

The second attack was two weeks later, on April 12, at another Wolverhampton address, the home of police sergeant, who had left the property at 10.30am to go into town, ensuring all the doors and windows were locked before departing.

At midday he received a call from his wife telling him they had been burgled. In total, £5,700 of jewellery was missing, along with £400 cash.

Both families said the jewellery had been of great sentimental value.

Mrs Kaur, victim in the first burglary, said in an impact statement that the family had been 'really shocked' by what had happened, adding: "My family life has been destroyed."

She said two elderly relatives, a grandmother and her mother-in-law, had passed away shortly afterwards as a result of the trauma caused by the intruders.

But Mr Duncan Craig, defending, said that although the deaths had been tragic, there was no evidence to support a direct link with the burglaries.

He said 32-year-old Daulat had successfully battled an addiction to alcohol but had lapsed earlier this year. His part in the break-ins was confined to being a look-out and he was 'genuinely contrite'.

Daulat, of Victoria Street, Willenhall, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary. He was picked up by police after being identified on CCTV footage, the court heard.

Passing sentence, Judge Barrie said: "It may not have been a calculated plot to target the houses of Asians, although it is a remarkable coincidence."

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