Burglar who broke into home and unwrapped Christmas presents is jailed
A burglar who broke into a home just before Christmas and unwrapped presents has been jailed for four years.
James Hayes, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court today after pleading guilty to a burglary at the house in Rugeley in December.
The 38-year-old broke into a house in West Butts Road at around 3pm on December 19 and unwrapped Christmas presents under a tree before abandoning them and making off with the homeowner’s jewellery.
He made off from the scene in a Ford KA before local officers stopped the vehicle and detained him after noticing he had changed his clothes.
Judge Michael Chambers, sentencing, said: "The impact on the victims was profound and it tainted their Christmas."
Items stolen in the burglary have now been recovered and handed back to the owner.
Detective Constable Sally Dean, from the force CID team, said: “Members of our community should feel safe and secure in their own homes, and we are pleased to have secured this sentence in getting a burglar off the streets.”