Brave neighbour filmed knifeman
Burglar and friend had raided the home of pensioner
A KNIFE-WIELDING burglar and his friend were filmed fleeing a 78-yearold widow’s home after stealing her purse while she was with her friend next door.
A KNIFE-WIELDING burglar and his friend were filmed fleeing a 78-yearold widow’s home after stealing her purse while she was with her friend next door.
Corey Nightingale and Daniel Williams broke into the elderly woman’s house in Llanelli in March and made off with a purse containing £60 and an Amazon Kindle.
A neighbour living opposite spotted the two men running away and alerted the victim, who was with a friend nextdoor, and the police. She confronted the men and filmed part of the incident on her mobile phone.
Dyfed-Powys Police received numerous calls reporting two or three men with knives in the area and officers from the armed response unit were deployed.
However it was established Williams and Nightingale had committed a walk-in burglary after unsuccessfully trying other properties in the area.
Williams, 31, was later found at his home in Great Western Crescent in Llanelli while officers found 22-year-old Nightingale up to his waist in water nearby in Morfa. Police had to enter the water to get him out and he was arrested on suspicion of burglary and possession of a bladed article.
The pair appeared at Swansea Crown Court on May 29 for sentencing. Williams admitted a charge of burglary and was sentenced to nine months in prison.
Nightingale, of George Street, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to burglary and possession of a bladed article and was sentenced to 13 months in prison.
Both the police force and Judge Paul Thomas praised the neighbour for challenging the men and filming them leaving the scene. The footage became key evidence in the case.
DS Matthew Bromfield said: “They had been seen trying doors in the area before successfully gaining entry to the victim’s house.
“Fortunately the 78-year-old widow was in the neighbour’s house next door when the offence took place. Neighbours opposite had alerted her and recorded some of the incident on a mobile phone which provided us with key evidence against them.
“This incident could have had more serious consequences as both males were under the influence of alcohol. A coordinated approach meant Nightingale and Williams were swiftly arrested and the incident was contained.
“I would particularly like to thank the officers who risked their safety by going into the water to arrest Nightingale.
“Extensive forensic and witness work went into this case thanks to response teams and CID resulting in both defendants pleading guilty to their charges.”
Judge Thomas also commended the actions and bravery of the witness.
DS Bromfield added: “I echo the sentiments of the judge and would like to thank the witness for her assistance in providing us with key evidence to support the investigation.
“The footage she provided from her mobile phone undoubtedly helped in securing early guilty pleas from Nightingale and Williams.”