Man recognised burglar with tights on his head

A MAN burst into his friend’s house with a pair of tights over his head to steal his safe.

Stefan Morgan, 25, broke into the home of Andrew Crew and his girlfriend in Mount Street, Pontlottyn, Caerphilly, after previously warning his friend ‘watch your safe, I’ll have it one day.’

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday, heard that Morgan, of Abertysswg, Caerphilly, had known Mr Crew for 18 months and had previously been in his flat.

Prosecutor Leah Pollard said Mr Crew was woken at 3am on April 5 by a loud knock at the door.

When he opened the door, he saw a man in black clothing with a pair of tights over his head but he immediately recognised the man as Morgan due to his voice and a tattoo of a stag on his hand.

Morgan had a metal pole and raised it above his head as if to strike Mr Crew, who managed to kick out at him and closed the door.

The defendant attempted to smash the front door before smashing a kitchen window to gain entry to the property.

Mr Crew picked up a baseball bat and tried to defend himself as the defendant waved the metal pole around and threatened to stab him.

Mr Crew’s partner Crystal Witts locked herself in the bathroom and called the police.

Morgan managed to get hold of the safe, which contained £160 and a gold pendant necklace which belonged to Mr Crew’s grandmother and was worth around £300, before running out of the house and down the street.

Ms Pollard said Mr Crew chased the defendant down the street and jumped on his back and brought him to the floor where a struggle ensued.

After getting hold of the safe, Mr Crew started walking back to his house but Morgan struck him with the metal pole to the head, causing the victim to black out.

Mr Crew was taken to hospital where he received treatment to a five centimetre laceration to his head, as well as cuts and grazes.

The defendant was arrested and denied being at Mr Crew’s address on the night in question but he later pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and unlawful wounding.

Defence barrister Andrew Kendal said his client had recently been diagnosed with depression, which may have given some explanation for the offence. He also said that Morgan had a difficult upbringing.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Fitton QC said: “Mr Crew knew you and on previous occasions you had made some remarks to him about one day having his safe.

“While he was asleep in the early hours of the morning with his girlfriend you attempted to steal a safe. He was in fear and his girlfriend locked herself in the bathroom. You wore items to disguise your appearance and you smashed the door and the window.

“You threatened to stab him and used the iron bar as a weapon. Having taken the safe and the contents he pursued you and you hit him with the iron bar.”

Morgan, of Station Road, Abertysswg, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment.