Three strike burglar found hiding in a Dudley loft by the police sent back to jail for stealing whilst on bail

Shane Lewis, 33, was caught stealing a bank card, car keys and a passport whilst on bail for another burglary where the police found him hiding in the loft of a Dudley property.

Lewis, of Corporation Street, Wednesbury, pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday to two counts of burglary, two counts of fraud and failing to surrender whilst on bail.

Peter Grice, prosecuting, said: "At 9.25am on January 29, this year, a member of the public spotted two men acting suspisciously on the Parade, Dudley. Both were wearing masks with one holding a screwdriver and the other a crow bar.

"The member of public heard the sound of them breaking in and phoned the police. Officers attended within minutes and gained entry to the property where they found the pair hiding in the loft. 

"They were arrested and the defendant was meant to stand trial in July, he did not turn up for that and whilst on bail on Sunday, July 6, the defendant and another man entered a room in a HMO and stole a passport, car keys and bank card.

"The following day he tried to use the bank card at Dixons Green Service Station, first to purchase for £55 and £39.99. This was captured on CCTV and the defendant was arrested a few days later."

Lewis has 28 convictions for 56 offences and is a three strike burglar. 

In mitigation, Mr Simon Hands, defending, said: "My clients life has been turned upside down in recent years. His mother died last year and earlier this year whilst awaiting his trial for the first offence his partner of some years was found dead at their home.

"He was arrested on suspicion of murder but it was determined she died of natural causes. He fell back to using hard drugs which was the motivation for these burglaries. He was held in custody regarding her death and he tells me his daughter is also seriously ill and is in a hospice."

He added: "He pleaded guilty but I do not know why he was given advice to plead not guilty for the first burglary. He missed his trial due to not getting correspondence from his partner's mother who blames him for her death, but recognises it was his fault for attending."

Justice Michael Chambers KC sentenced Lewis to two years and four months. 

He said: "I am sentencing you for two separate burglaries, you have a very bad record of dishonesty. You are a three strike burglar you would have known you were at risk of being given a minimum term in January when you committed your first burglary. 

"The second burglary was committed whilst you were on bail for the first."

He added: "In June 2021 you were convicted for a number of house burglaries and you were classified as a three strike offender.

"A burglary is an intrusion into someone's home not just the financial loss. I am giving you credit for guilty pleas and am not sentencing you for the fraud or the not surrendering for bail.

"When you are released it will be on license and if you reoffend you will be sent back to prison."