Mum ‘on edge’ after burglary
A mum was left “on edge” in her own home after precious property was stolen during a daylight raid.
The victim’s five-bedroom house in Earsdon Road, Houghton, was targeted while she was out taking her young children to nursery, and more than £1,000 worth of family belongings were taken.
Newcastle Crown Court heard cash from children’s money boxes and jewellery were stolen during the morning break-in.
Possessions belonging to the family’s grandmother, including a necklace, engraved ringandmedal,werealsotaken and can never be replaced.
Vince Ward, prosecuting, told the court the items were of huge sentimental value, and added: “The medal was a Siberian Exiles cross, a medal awarded by the president of Poland to Polish citizens who were deported to Siberia between 1939 and 1956.”
The court heard the mum was left sickened at the fact her children’s bedrooms had been searched through and was left “on edge” at home.
The incident happened on February 15.
Anthony Newall, of Baker Street, Houghton, admitted burglary and has been jailed for 16 months.
The 30-year-old was on a suspended sentence for a previous break-in at the time.
Graeme Cook, defending, said Newall was a crack cocaine addict at the time and had been put “under some pressure” to commit the offence with another man, but has since started to put his life in order.
Mr Cook said Newall did not take any of the family belongings for himself and added: “He is ashamed and embarrassed for what he has done. He is very sorry.”