Hotel staff room targeted by burglar
A BURGLAR broke into the staff room of a Cardiff hotel to steal items while under the influence of drugs.
Leanne Oxley, 43, walked into Sleeperz Hotel in the city centre at 2am on July 15 with her co-defendant Nathan Walker to carry out the burglary.
Staff at the hotel became aware of two people in the reception area and suspicions were raised. The pair were captured on CCTV looking through drawers and desks and taking various items.
Prosecutor Suzanne Payne said police were called and the defendant and Waker were later arrested on suspicion of burglary.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday heard that Oxley told police she had “no recollection” of the burglary and was intoxicated at the time.
The defendant, of Leckwith Place, Canton, later pleaded guilty to burglary. Walker was dealt with at an earlier hearing.
The court also heard she had previous convictions for theft and drug offences but this was her first burglary conviction.
The total value of items stolen and damage caused to the reception area of the hotel was estimated to be around £4,700.
Defence barrister Timothy Evans described his client as a “lady of many problems” who had “fallen by the wayside” over the past few months after being unable to access mental health services due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sentencing, Judge Michael Fitton QC said he would not be sending Oxley to prison.
He added: “You have got a bad record and you went to prison a long time ago for drug offence, so you know what it’s like and you don’t want to back there.”
Oxley was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment which was suspended for a period of 12 months.