Festive thief jailed for Christmas

A woman will spend the festive season behind bars after stashing items stolen from a neighbour under her own Christmas tree!

Devious Amanda Francis had climbed into the adjoining property where she was living in Ashford through a hole in the ceiling and swiped goods, including a watch.

And when police probed the break-in it led back to Francis’s living room, where the 36-yearold had wrapped them in foil and placed them around her Christmas tree.

Now drug-addict Francis, who now lives in Grosvenor Place, Margate, is likely to spend this coming Christmas inside prison after being jailed for six months.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how the victim had lived in a room in Wellesley Villas in Ashford, next to Francis and her lover Wesley Adyinka.

On December 22, the victim left his room at 8am and returned at 7.45pm, only to find it had been burgled.

Judge Simon James heard how a hole had been cut in the ceiling and thieves had taken a number of items.

Police officers arrived and knocked on the flat occupied by Francis, who opened the door after a delay.

It was then officers discovered some of the stolen property around a Christmas tree, and minutes later Adyinka arrived wearing the stolen watch.

Adykina revealed how Francis had been in the loft and discovered the presents.

He denied burglary but admitted handling stolen goods and was jailed for a year at an ear- lier hearing.

Francis admitted the burglary and the judge told her : “In my judgement, this was a particularly mean offence, carried out just before Christmas.

“You targeted a neighbour and stole items which were of value to him.”

In mitigation, Francis claimed that she had suffered personal tragedies and had returned to taking illegal drugs.