Burglar walks free despite leaving boy traumatised

A BURGLAR who left a schoolboy severely traumatised and needing counselling after ransacking his bedroom has walked free – after a judge said he was “going out on a limb and taking a chance” on him.

The 11-year-old boy had gone out one Sunday afternoon with his mum to celebrate a footballing success, but when they returned later that evening their happiness turned to despair.

Sean Wigham and another man had broken in while they were out, ransacking both their bedrooms.

A court heard 33 items had been stolen, including computer consoles and other valuables belonging to the lad.

He was so disturbed by the thought a stranger had been in his bedroom, he refused to sleep there for some time.

However, despite hearing a heartbreaking statement from the mother, a judge has freed Wigham, who has 125 previous convictions.

The mum, of North Shields, told how they stayed with her parents for a time after the break-in, in April last year, and the youngster was frightened to go back to the house. When he did return, he had to sleep in his mum’s room for a while.

Months later, he was finally back in his room, but his mum said: “He has to go to sleep with the light on for the first time in his life. He’s very edgy and goes to panic mode at every noise.

“He is receiving counselling. The fear he carries is heartbreaking.”

Some 33 items were recovered after the break-in, including trainers, keys, a PlayStation 4, a laptop, an Xbox 360, an iPhone, toiletries, and a Sony PSP. Sean Wigham, who burgled a family home in North Shields

Wigham, of Fitzsimmons Avenue, Wallsend, who initially claimed he had just handled the stolen goods, pleaded guilty to burglary. He was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years with a 12-month curfew.

Recorder Simon Goldberg told Wigham: “I’m particularly concerned with the ongoing effect your actions have had.” But the judge, after telling Wigham he was not going to prison, added: “I’m going out on a limb and taking a chance on you.”

Stuart Graham, mitigating, said: “His recollection is limited, he was off his head on valium at the time.”

Mr Graham, added Wigham had not committed any burglaries since he was a juvenile, but started taking drugs after the end of a relationship and ended up on a “slippery slope” and needing money to fund his habit.