Burglar stole from neighbour out celebrating New Year's Eve
A burglar stole money from a neighbour in sheltered accommodation while the victim had gone out to celebrate New Year's Eve, a court heard.
Liam Bentley, 23, of Wolverhampton, removed a spare key from the staff area at the accommodation run by Wolverhampton Mental Health and Complex Needs Service and entered the room of Darren Smith to steal £300 he kept in his top drawer.
However, Mr Smith discovered the cash was missing and reported the incident to staff who checked CCTV and saw Bentley visiting the staff area to claim the key before attempting to open the door, walking away and then returning to successfully gain entry.
As he left with the money, he locked the door behind him.
Chris O'Gorman, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court that when Bentley, who pleaded guilty to burglary, was arrested he told police that Mr Smith asked him to burgle the property so he could make an insurance claim, though he had since dropped this accusation and acknowledged his guilt.
He said Bentley, of Bushbury Lane, Bushbury, had numerous previous convictions on his record, including criminal damage, assault and shoplifting, as well as breaches of orders.
Hugh O'Brien Quinn, mitigating, asked for Bentley's early guilty plea to be acknowledged, adding that he was resident at the Bushbury Lane complex because he had mental health needs of his own.
Passing sentence, judge Hughes said he had a "substantial criminal record," and accepted his early plea.
Bentley was sentenced to 29 months in jail.
