Thief on drugs targeted home as victims slept

Gavin Sadler, crept into the property on Green Lane in Halesowen as a family of five, including three children were in their beds.

Jurors at Wolverhampton Crown Court was told how the victims had locked up their home before retiring to bed on September 11 last year. The following morning when they came downstairs they found that their house had been disturbed during a search and seven prayer mats had been taken.

Mr Mark Lees, prosecuting, said: "The house had been secured all but for one small window and it was through this the defendant gained access to the house."

When the victim came downstairs it was clear a search had been carried out and it was discovered that seven prayer mats had been stolen.

"The defendant had opened a larger window and it is through there he got into the property.

"The police were called and a forensic examination of the property was carried out. On the door handle of the backdoor blood was found and this was tested and traced to the defendant.

"He was arrested and initially denied his involvement. He was charged and later pleaded guilty."

Mr Lees read a statement to the court where the victim had said she felt 'disturbed' by the burglary and often woke in the night to check the windows and doors.

Miss Blondelle Thompson defending said 38-year-old Sadler was taking part in a drug rehabilitation programme and was showing improvement since he carried out the offence,

Sadler of Brickhouse Road, Rowley Regis, pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary.

On Monday, Judge Michael Dudley sentenced Sadler to 10 months in prison but suspended it for 18 months.

The burglar was told he must complete 12 months of supervision and a drug rehabilitation course for 12 months.

Judge Dudley said as he passed sentence: "I'm confident this burglary was committed while you were on drugs. You know if you commit another offence in the next 18 months you will be sent to jail for 10 months initially then any further sentence will be added on top of that."