Judge tells burglar to ‘get a grip’
A “notorious” burglar who was jailed for trying to break into two houses in Caernarfon High Street on one night had his sentence slashed by top judges.
Stuart Paul Smith, 40, of Love Lane, Bangor, was caught on CCTV in the garden of one house, while his DNA was found at the scene of another.
Despite denying them, he pleaded guilty to two attempted burglaries “to save the court’s time” and was jailed for 32 months in May.
That was reduced to two years by London judges – who nevertheless warned Smith that he faces sterner punishment if caught again.
“On balance, we think the sentence is too high,” said Mr Justice Foskett at the Court of Appeal.
“But he needs to understand that the courts are going to run out of patience with him if he doesn’t take a grip on himself.
“Sentences will get longer, if only to protect the public.”
The court heard Smith already had a long list of previous convictions, with many offences of shoplifting and burglary.
He had been to prison, but con- tinued to reoffend when freed.
In March, he was linked to the two attempted burglaries in High Street, Caernarfon.
He was seen on CCTV trying to enter the door of one house, failing to get in and then hanging around in the garden before leaving.
Another attempted raid took place when a security grille was removed from the integral garage of a neighbouring house. His DNA was found on the metal.
Mr Justice Hickinbottom added: “He is more of a nuisance than a serious threat, but that’s of little compensation to those whose properties he tries to enter.”