Drug addict offloaded £10k of camera equipment stolen from homes
A drug addict who offloaded £10,000 worth of camera equipment as well as jewellery that was stolen in two separate home raids has been spared an immediate jail term.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that Rebecca O'Leary played the role of a 'stooge' to get rid of the plunder from burglaries in Oldbury and Northfield, Birmingham, last year.
Mr Paul Farrow, prosecuting, said 'a large amount' of jewellery was stolen from a home in Great Stone Road, Northfield, on September 26.
Then on November 11 the home of a professional photographer was raided in Kingsway, Oldbury, he said. On that occasion £10,000 worth of specialist camera equipment was taken, including a camera, three lenses, a flash and a charger.
O'Leary, aged 32, sold the camera gear to electronics retailer CeX in Northfield for just over £1,900 after opening an account in her own name, said Mr Farrow.
The mother-of-two also sold two gold rings to a jewellers for £150. Staff at both stores contacted the police after they became suspicious that the items may be stolen, the prosecutor continued.
She was subsequently arrested and questioned by police. Mr Farrow said: "In relation to the jewellery she said she had agreed to get rid of the items as a personal favour to a friend.
"She would not discuss any other details or refer to the identity of the friend in question."
The court was told that O'Leary gave the proceeds from selling the loot to her friend and was given £50 in return. All of the items were said to have been recovered and returned to their owners.
Mr Simon Rippon, defending, said O'Leary had acted 'stupidly' out of loyalty to a friend who was 'willing to abuse her'.
"She accepts she was an idiot and a stooge," he added. "The person who gave her the camera equipment would know there was a fair chance it would be traced to her because it is specialist equipment.
"When it was sold it was done so in the knowledge that it would be her who got into trouble. She has suffered a heroin addiction and has been through trials and tribulations that one can only imagine.
"She can't apologise enough."
O'Leary, of St Josephs Avenue, Northfield, Birmingham, admitted two counts of handling stolen goods.
Sentencing her to 12 months in jail suspended for two years, Recorder Mr Shamim Qureshi told her: "If you went to prison now it would be your young children who would be at risk."
O'Leary was also placed under supervision for two years and ordered to pay £535 costs and a victim surcharge of £80.
