Family came home to find home ransacked by burglar

A FAMILY returned home to find their glass door smashed, their home ransacked and their jewellery, watches and bank cards missing.

Cardiff Crown Court heard prolific burglar Liam McDonald was traced following DNA tests on blood stains he left in the master bedroom of the family home he raided.

In a victim impact statement read out in court Anthony Cannon-Jones said home should be a “safe haven” but his family no longer feel secure.

Bethan Evans, prosecuting, said the incident occurred in Heol-Y-Carw in Thornhill, Cardiff, on January 28.

The court heard the family returned home at around 6pm after going out for the afternoon and found a glass panel in their back door had been smashed.

Prosecutors said there was an “untidy search” focusing on the master bedroom.

McDonald stole items including a wallet containing a driving licence, plus credit and debit cards.

He also took two jewellery boxes with silver jewellery inside – bracelets, rings and a pendant – as well as a Cartier dress watch and a Swatch watch.

Prosecutors said he stole a make-up bag, gold commemorative coins, Swiss francs, a gold cross and a bronze medal.

The items were valued at more than £2,200 but Mr Cannon-Jones said: “The monetary value is far outweighed by the sentimental value.”

He said he now worries about the security of his two young daughters, adding: “Our safety has been compromised.”

Mr Cannon-Jones added: “You do not expect to come home on a Sunday evening and find your home has been broken into.”

Ms Evans said: “The defendant was located by way of blood found in the master bedroom.”

McDonald was arrested and answered “no comment” to all of the questions put to him in his police interview.

Prosecutors said he had been before the courts for 37 previous offences, including four dwelling burglaries.

In November 2006 he broke into a home in Llanedeyrn through a window and stole a coin box.

Prosecutors said he committed another burglary in the same area the following year by gaining entry through an unsecured window and stealing car keys and then the vehicle.

In October 2011 he smashed a patio door and stole items including an iPad from inside.

On another occasion the defendant broke into a home and stole a laptop and jewellery.

The court heard he also had nondwelling burglaries on his record, including an incident at B&M Stores in Pentwyn in 2015 when he smashed a window and took items from a display cabinet.

McDonald, 27, who does not have a fixed address, admitted burglary.

He was jailed for 876 days, which is about two years and five months, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge.