Jailed: Burglar stole laptop from under sleeping boy's pillow then attacked grandad

Steven Kinsella forced his way into the family home in the Bromford area of Birmingham in the early hours of August 22.

He crept upstairs and stole a laptop from under the schoolboy's pillow, but was disturbed by the boy's 75-year-old grandad as he was leaving.

Kinsella, 37, punched the pensioner to the floor – leaving him with facial cuts and bruising – before running off with two phones and car keys.

He then went on to steal a BMX bike from a home nearby, having smashed a window. But less than an hour later, he was arrested by West Midlands Police.

Earlier that morning, officers had attended another home in Bromford Road following reports of a domestic incident. The offender was nowhere to be seen but the description matched that of the burglary offender and officers were on hand to arrest Kinsella when he returned to his partner’s address.

He tried to deny involvement in the robbery, but was found in possession of the victim's phone, and the BMX bike was recovered inside the house.

Admit

Kinsella, of Highfield Road, in Washwood Heath, Birmingham, went on to admit robbery and attempted burglary. At Birmingham Crown Court on October 8, he was jailed for six years and eight months.

The boy's father, Azhar Rajab, thanked police for swiftly responding to his son’s 999 call in the early hours of the morning – and securing justice for his grandfather.

He said: “One of my sons made the emergency call while the offender was struggling with my dad. They arrived within five minutes and helped treat my injured father and comfort my children who were all in shock. The burglar was arrested about an hour later which was great.

“On behalf of my dad I wanted to say a big thumbs up to Jay for helping us through the whole process, taking statements, ID parades and supporting us through the court process.”

Investigating officer, PC Jay Aston from Stechford CID, added: “This was a shocking, violent burglary. The victim crept into a child’s bedroom as he slept and literally stole property from under his nose before punching and kicking his grandfather.

“The victim suffered nasty injuries and is still struggling with the psychological impact of seeing an intruder in his family home.

“I wish him well with his continued recovery and hope the fact Kinsella has been jailed for several years will offer some comfort.”