‘Persistent offender’ jailed for burglaries

A BURGLAR pocketed hundreds of pounds in cash from a restaurant before stealing tools from an event space and grabbing bottles from a bar’s cellar.

Martin Gauci, 44, who had been before the courts for more than 120 previous offences, was released on police bail following two burglaries – then went on to commit another five.

Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Eleri Rees described him as a “persistent offender”.

Nuhu Gobir, prosecuting, said the first burglary happened at Bill’s restaurant in Cardiff Bay on June 14.

The court heard he was caught on CCTV at around 10.30pm sneaking into the staff-only area of the restaurant.

Mr Gobir said: “He was seen on the footage picking up £220 in cash before leaving the premises.”

Gauci was identified by a police community support officer but not arrested at that stage and two days later he committed a burglary at Portland House in Bute Street.

Prosecutors said he was refused entry to the venue, which is rented out for private events including weddings, then got in through the back door just before 5.25pm.

He was confronted by a member of staff and walked away but was seen again later that day walking out of the manager’s office.

Mr Gobir said: “He escorted off the premises.” was

He tried to get into the building through the main door at 10.10pm but was told by door staff it was a private event and he was banned from the premises.

The defendant was later seen in a restricted area and detained until the police arrived.

Prosecutors said the manager reviewed the CCTV and saw Gauci forcing entry through a fire door before sneaking into the restricted area and stealing tools from a tool box.

He was arrested and told officers he was banned from the venue but was lost at the time.

Gauci was granted bail and went on to commit five burglaries at Missoula bar in St Mary Street.

The court heard he went into the cellar at 6.30pm and 10.30pm on June 20 and stole four boxes of spirits worth £400.

Two days later he went back into the cellar and stole further boxes of spirits worth £200.

On June 26 he was detained by members of staff who found him in the cellar.

Prosecutors said he was caught on CCTV carrying boxes out of the back fire door.

He made no comment in relation to the incidents at Missoula but accepted it was him on the CCTV at Bill’s, telling the police he had “no idea” why he was in the staff-only area.

Prosecutors said he had been before the courts for 122 previous offences including 75 for theft and related offences.

Judge Rees noted there were at least 30 burglaries on his record.

Gauci, from Bute Street in Cardiff, admitted seven counts of burglary. Judge Rees jailed him for 16 months.