The thief who stole Christmas: Burglar ruined family's festive fun after stealing TV and iPad presents
A man who ruined a family's Christmas by breaking into their home and stealing thousands of pounds worth of presents has been given a suspended jail sentence.
Two 40in TVs, an iPad, a laptop and watches were all among gifts swiped by Luke Graham when he raided the house in Hateley Heath, West Bromwich.
The thief was at his sister's house when he took the opportunity to break into the house nearby in Allerton Lane, smashing a window before helping himself to valuables, Wolverhampton Crown Court was heard.
The family, which included two teenage girls, were left 'petrified' of being at home alone following the burglary and a panic alarm and CCTV were hastily installed, said Mr Garry Cook, prosecuting.
They returned home on December 11 to find their home had been ransacked. In total, the items stolen were worth £4,000.
Mr Cook told the court: "They could see the house had been broken into, pictures had been smashed on the floor. Electrical items and jewellery had been taken. Some were intended as Christmas presents."
However, the crook slipped up with a glove left behind at the house traced back to him following DNA tests. The bungling burglar also told police he had dropped the TVs and then got rid of them.
Graham, aged 43, of Powis Avenue, Tipton, pleaded guilty to burglary. He was handed a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years and also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.
Ms Blondelle Thompson, defending, said Graham had been on a 'downward spiral' since being made redundant three years ago and that he regretted what he had done.
"He is remorseful and ashamed. No-one should be afraid in their own home," she said.
Recorder Ben Nicholls told him he would let him decide whether he would go to prison in giving him the suspended sentence, warning any further offending would result in him ending up behind bars.
He told him: "The family were no doubt looking forward to Christmas - you ruined that for them. They were intended as Christmas presents for the family and others.
"It is not so much the loss of property which makes burglary such a serious offence, it's the effect on the household. The family had to install alarms and CCTV."
