Stourbridge College burglar is caught out by cheese
A burglar who stole £2,000 worth of computer equipment from a college for students with learning disabilities was brought to justice – after being caught with a lump of cheese he had taken from the canteen fridge, a court heard.
Shane Smith forced open a window at Stourbridge College's horticultural and catering centre in Leasowes Lane, Halesowen.
He was linked to the raid on April 16 through fingerprints, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
When police searched his house two weeks after the break-in they discovered the cheese in his fridge and realised it was from the college.
The 23-year-old, of Haden Road, Cradley Heath, was handed a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years. Miss Rhiannon Jones, prosecuting, said Smith originally claimed he had only taken the lump of cheese. The computer has never been recovered, Miss Jones told the court.
The court was told he was accompanied by two other men, who have not been identified.
Smith, who admitted burglary, was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, and must complete an alcohol treatment programme. Judge Nicholas Webb said: "This was a mean offence involving a not insignificant amount of property that has not been recovered."
