Burglar jailed after Telford break-in
A serial offender who stole cash and jewellery from a Telford couple's home has been jailed.
Darren Kimberley, 38, knew the occupants of the house on Pageant Drive in Aqueduct, would be at work on the morning of February 17 last year, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.
Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said Kimberley broke into the garden by either going through or over a six foot fence and then entered the home by removing a rear panel of the kitchen door at about 7.15am.
He carried out an "untidy search" of the two-bedroomed property, which is next door to his mother's home, and stole jewellery, a watch and £2,500 worth of cash, the court heard.
When the couple returned home later that day they found drawers open and items strewn across the floor, Mr Jones added.
DNA analysis of the kitchen door that confirmed Kimberley had broken into the property on that day, the court heard.
Mr Jones said Kimberley previously had 58 convictions, including another burglary in 2013, and had breached a number of court orders by reoffending.
Kimberley, formerly of Bordesley Green in Birmingham, admitted a charge of burglary when he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
Judge Peter Barrie sentenced Kimberley, currently of HMP Birmingham, to six months in custody, with a reduction of the time he has already served since March 15.
Judge Barrie urged Kimberley to tackle his drug problems. He said: "Only tackling your drugs problem will stop you reoffending.
"DNA analysis has proved your guilt. You broke into a home of the couple next door to your own parent and carried out an untidy search of the house. Jewellery and watches can have strong personal value to people.
"You have started to fund your drugs habit by committing offences of burglaries but there is a glimmer of hope for the work you have done while you have been in custody."
