Housebreaker is jailed after he ransacked woman’s flat

A housebreaker who left a woman terrified when she discovered him sitting on her couch has been caged by a sheriff.

Lifelong crook Stephen Ronay, 39, caused owner Natalie Dineen to flee in horror she got back to her flat from work shortly before 2am.

Ronay, who has seven previous convictions for housebreaking as well as dozens for dishonesty, stayed inside to ransack her home in the town’s centre.

He was nabbed by cops coming out of the victim’s bedroom, wearing a stolen jacket and with his pockets stuffed with stolen jewellery.

This week Ronay, formerly of Westpark Drive, Ferguslie Park, appeared from custody at Paisley Sheriff Court where he pleaded guilty to a charge of housebreaking and stealing various items including jewellery and a quantity of cash on May 16.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Keri Marshall said: “At around 1.45am on May 16, Ms Dineen returned home from work and went into her flat, having not noticed anything untoward at the close.

“When she walked into the living room she saw the accused, a male not known to her, but now known as the accused.

“He was sitting on her couch.

“The witness was so taken aback by his presence she simply stated, ‘Hello.’

“He turned round to look at her, but did not say anything back.”

The witness fled and first called her parents then contacted police.

Cops who were quickly at her flat went inside where they discovered Ronay had turned over her flat after smashing his way in via her bedroom window.

He was arrested with a number of items of jewellery, including a Pandora charm bracelet, a number of necklaces and other bracelets, stuffed in his pockets.

Afterwards the woman looked out of her window and discovered Ronay had thrown her acoustic guitar, a Les Gibson electric guitar, hair straighteners, and a number of bottles of spirits from the flat onto the roof outside her flat.

She also found a rucksack, which belonged to her in her living room. It contained her Sky Go box and her TV Now box.

She also noticed her bed appeared to have been slept in.

Defence agent Bob Kerr said: “He clearly has difficulty in staying out of trouble for any period of time.

“He is no stranger to the courts. He can often be found wandering around like a zombie full of drugs and drink looking for money.

“His record is bad enough and he will get the jail again.

“His mother, who is not well, is here at court in support of him, but she also has been unable to get anywhere with him.”

Sheriff Frances McCartney jailed Ronay for 22 months, telling him: “There is no alternative to a custodial sentence.”

She also placed him on a supervised release order for 11 months when he is freed from prison.