Prolific home invader who caused 'mental anguish' to victims jailed for five years
A prolific Walsall burglar who threatened to kill one of his victims during a Black Country crime spree to steal high performance cars has been jailed.
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James McNamara, 36, was jailed for 22 counts of burglary, car theft and dangerous driving at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
McNamara and his accomplice Simon Meeson would target homes at night and attacked one victim who tried to chase them away.
One of the victims told the court he and his family remained "traumatised" after the attack whilst another revealed the burglary had led to the loss of his job due to the anxiety caused.
The male victim said: "This has been emotionally damaging and had a serious effect on my young son who was at home."
McNamara burgled one Staffordshire home in October 2023 and as well as stealing car keys, he stole driving licences and passports.
The victim said: "We all feel insecure and on edge in our home ever since this happened."
Judge Talog Davies sent McNamara, of Monarch Close, Walsall, down for five years and disqualified him from driving for As well as stealing car keys McNamara stole wallets, rings, bank cards, Ipads, watches and phones from properties.
All the offences were carried out when McNamara was serving a suspended sentence for burglary.
Justice Talog Davies told McNamara: "When you break into someone's house you are literally invading where they deserve to feel safe. The mental anguish caused to the victims cannot be overlooked. Children were at home in some cases.
"One of the victims had a car driven at him and was told he would be killed as his mother watched on. He has said this had a massive effect on his family with his mother now being scared in the house.
"One of your victims showed incredible bravery fighting the pair of you off, despite you having a weapon and driving a car at him."
McNamara has a long list of previous crimes including 64 offences, 43 convictions, back to 2000 including firearms offences, affray, burglary, theft and other crimes. McNamara is also a third strike burglar.
Due to pleading guilty McNamara was given credit from his sentence which would have been over six and a half years.
Simon Meeson, 50, of NFA, was sentenced for his part in several of the same burglaries separately to 54 months in prison.
