JAILED: Oldbury drug addict made trips to Gloucestershire to burgle homes
A burglar from the Black Country who made two trips to Gloucestershire to plunder homes has been jailed for five years.
Drug addict Martin Payne, of Bleak House Road, Oldbury, broke into one home on April 8 this year, Gloucester Crown Court heard.
He stole jewellery, an iPhone and a watch which have never been recovered and the total cost of his break-in, including damage, was £1,410, said prosecutor Christopher Smyth.
The victim Jonathanr Round later made a victim impact statement saying: "The burglary has affected me and my partner in many ways.
"We have become very wary when leaving the house, less trusting to anyone approaching the property.
"When we are away from home for any length of time we are anxious about what we may find when we get home."
On May 17 Payne returned to Gloucestershire, this time targeting two houses, Mr Smyth said.
At the home of Elaine Fracischetto in Gloucester he carried out an untidy search of her bedroom and stole all her jewellery, valued at £3,380.
It included her late grandmother's wedding and eternity rings.
"I feel violated, emotional and really sad," she stated.
"I am also sad for the person who did this who felt the need to break into our house and steal our things, especially sentimental things we cannot replace.
"I feel jumpy now. My engagement ring is still missing. My husband had to save for a long time in a low paid job to get the money to buy it for me."
On the same day Payne raided Patricia and Craig Buckle's home, taking a Sony Playstation, eight games, a bottle of whisky, a jar of coins and jewellery – worth a total of £4,905.
In a statement Mrs Buckle said she was on holiday and her son was out when Payne struck.
"I feel numb that someone has been through my drawers," she stated. "I now feel insecure at home. I am very upset that I am still missing some sentimental items. "
Payne pleaded guilty to all three burglaries.
Also in the dock with Payne was Leanne Hadley, 37, of Edinburgh Road, Oldbury, who admitted handling the loot from the first Brockworth burglary.
She had looked after it in Payne's stolen car while he was committing the second raid.
Payne, who was in breach of a six months suspended sentence at the time of the raids, was jailed for a total of five years by Recorder Paul Grumbar.
Hadley, who had committed 57 previous offences, mainly of shoplifting, was placed on a 12-month community order with six months alcohol treatment and a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Mr Richard Gibbs, defending father of three Payne, said he had been a heroin addict for years and at its peak his addiction was costing him £1,000 a month.
Payne was realistic about his fate today and was concerned that being in prison he would be unable to help his wife who is suffering from breast cancer.
