Government files stolen by burglar who ransacked house in Telford

Steven Matthews was jailed for two years and eight months at Shrewsbury Crown Court after he and an unidentified accomplice ransacked a house during a daytime break-in.

The owner of the house in Madeley, Telford, and his teenage son lost vital information stored on two of the stolen laptops – including confidential Government documents and A-level coursework.

The family was now considering selling their home and moving away from the area, the court was told.

Matthews, 33, who admitted a charge of burglary, appeared in court via a video link from prison and was said to have previous convictions for burglary, robbery, wounding and theft.

The court heard the break-in at the home in Church Street on October 4 was his fifth conviction for burglary since 2000.

Judge Peter Barrie said the victims had suffered on both a financial and personal level.

The court heard Matthews and another man were seen acting suspiciously just before 9am in nearby St Michael's Close and were photographed by residents.

Mr Philip Beardwell, prosecuting, said a window at the house in Church Street was broken with a brick and Matthews was cut removing the glass.

Mr Beardwell said forensic tests later confirmed it was the defendant's blood found at the house.

He said Matthews refused to identify his accomplice but admitted they had met outside a Tesco store and plotted to "go burgling" and he later sold the stolen goods for just £100 which he used to buy crack cocaine.

Mr Richard Davenport, for Matthews, said his client suffered from a behaviour disorder and had a serious drug addiction.