‘One-man crime wave’ burgled, stole and robbed
A PROLIFIC offender described as a one-man “crime wave” burgled a flat before stealing a van and robbing a student in just a few hours.
Dean Burford, who had 130 previous offences on his criminal record, entered guilty pleas to five new offences and asked for a further seven matters to be taken into consideration.
Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Niclas Parry said: “The time has come for the public to be given a proper rest from you.”
The court heard the first burglary happened on July 9 on Penydarren Drive in Whitchurch, Cardiff.
Bethan Evans, prosecuting, said Rhys Thomas and Amy Lloyd left the property secure in the morning, but when they returned at around 7.20pm, found their possessions had been “thrown around”.
The court heard Ms Lloyd found a sock in the fridge and Burford was traced from DNA he left in the bedroom.
He stole items including an Xbox, Apple Mac and £100 in cash.
Prosecutors said the rest of the offences took place over around a six-hour period on Sunday, July 15.
Burford was caught on CCTV entering Talybont Court student accommodation on North Road on a bike at 8am.
The court heard the victim was asleep in his ground-floor flat with the door closed, but not locked.
Ms Evans said: “He heard a noise and looked up, then saw the defendant holding his laptop.”
Burford started to walk out with £40 in cash and the victim shouted: “That’s my money.” The defendant shouted back: “No, it’s my money.”
Prosecutors said the student tried to grab the burglar, prompting him to put the laptop down, but he got away with a £600 iPhone.
The victim noticed the kitchen window was damaged and Burford was traced through his fingerprints.
Prosecutors said the defendant then took a Citroen Berlingo van from a trader at the Riverside Market some time after 9am.
The court heard it was a company van belonging to a small, not-forprofit vegetable growers’ cooperative.
Ms Evans said it was later found in a state “beyond economical repair” and caused a loss of trade to the social enterprise.
Burford, who was a disqualified driver, drove the van for about two miles to Maindy Road, where he robbed a student.
Prosecutors said Jun He was walking along a lane near Cambrian Point student accommodation at around 11.30am.
Ms Evans told the court: “She felt someone tugging at the bag on her shoulder.”
The victim tried to hold on to her bag, but Burford backed her up against a wall, looking “angry and frustrated” as he grabbed her wrist.
Ms Evans added: “She was very scared and fearing for her life.”
Burford stole her shoulder bag, containing her laptop worth £1,000 and the keys to her flat.
Burford then committed another burglary in Banc Yr Afon, Gwaelody-Garth, some time after 11.30am.
The court heard the householders found a side door had been smashed and discovered a hammer in the bedroom.
He stole £350 in cash, along with gold and silver watches, earrings, necklaces and bracelets.
Ms Evans said Burford was linked to the crime after leaving blood on a wall and bed covers.
He was arrested on July 17 and gave a “no comment” interview.
The court heard he had 130 offences on his criminal record, including 41 of driving while disqualified and 11 of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Burford, 40, from Bank Road in Atherstone, in the Midlands, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified, robbery and two counts of burglary.
He asked for seven other offences to be taken into consideration, including five burglaries.
Stephen Jones, defending, said: “He is sorry for his actions.”
He said his client’s life had been “blighted” by addiction to alcohol and drugs. He relapsed into using Class A drugs after a relationship broke down.
Judge Parry said: “You were nothing less than a mini crime wave in Cardiff.”
Burford was jailed for six years and disqualified from driving for two years from the time of his release.