Three-year sentence for Black Country burglar after two-week crime spree
A burglar’s two-week crime spree was brought to a halt after police spotted him driving dangerously in a stolen car.
Simon Griffiths, aged 31, drove at speed in a stolen Hyundai through Walsall when he abandoned the vehicle after police gave chase.
He tried to escape on foot by jumping over fences but he was caught and arrested.
Griffiths, of Severn Road in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to nine charges including burglary and theft.
Judge Rhona Campbell sentenced him to three years and six months in jail at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Prosecuting, Mr Paul Spratt, said: “Without a doubt, these offences caused harm and distress to his victims.”
Griffiths had his head in his hands as he appeared on video link, while the prosecution outlined his offences.
The court heard Griffiths carried out the crimes to fuel his addiction, having turned to drugs to try and cope with trauma suffered as a child.
The crime spree lasted from August 15 to 27 and involved a range of targets, including a school and Sikh temple.
e also stole three cars. Griffiths’ crime spree began when he entered Pool Hayes Academy, Willenhall, and stole a saw from the caretaker valued at £400. Four days later, he entered a Sikh temple but failed to steal any items.
The following day, Griffiths entered the home of his cousin’s neighbour, without an invitation, where he asked about buying a Jaguar on the driveway, which was not for sale.
Griffiths then stole a set of Mercedes car keys before taking the vehicle itself. The next day, on August 21, he stole a £40 bottle of gin from a Nisa store.
Three days later, on August 24, Griffiths stole a Hyundai Matrix. It belonged to a delivery driver who was out delivering an item, the court heard.
Another three days later, Griffiths found his way into a golf club in Sutton Coldfield. He stole a cleaner’s coat, which was hanging up with her car keys in, and then stole her Peugeot.
When it was later returned to her, she told police that items in her car had gone missing, and the steering was affected.
Later that day, he stole a Renault Megane belonging to another delivery driver.
But Griffiths was snared later that day, when a police officer spotted him driving the Hyundai at speed.
Defending, Mr Oliver Woolhouse said : “He makes no excuse. He has written a letter to the court and has apologised for what he put people through.”
