Repeat burglar is locked up once more

Jason Finney, age 44, was on licence after being released from prison for similar offences when he struck at the property, in Lapwood Drive, Shrewsbury, in June.

Shrewsbury Crown Court was told the householders were left "upset" and "anxious" after the laptop containing treasured family photos was snatched along with a wallet and bank cards.

Sentencing Finney, formerly of Telford, Judge Peter Barrie said: "You burgled a house in the middle of the night while the occupants were sleeping upstairs.

"You took a laptop which contained a great number of personal photos and material which were irreplaceable. From a handbag you took hold of bank cards and some jewellery. A necklace was recovered from your accommodation.

"You have heard in the victim's impact statement in terms of the upset and anxiety caused. You will have gained very little, but for them this has caused a lot of trouble.

"You have been a frequent burglar in the past. This seems to follow when you resort to drugs when you are at liberty. Until you tackle that I'm concerned that this will be repeated behaviour."

The court heard that Finney, now of Birmingham, has 56 previous convictions relating to 129 offences. In September last year he was jailed for two-and-a-half years after carrying out a string of burglaries in Shrewsbury.

In mitigation, his barrister Mr Paul Smith said: "Burglary is a very damaging offence for the victims. The defendant has a history of drug addiction. He knows it is something that he needs to work on."

Finney pleaded guilty to an offence of burglary and to an offence of fraud at Tuesday's hearing.

He was jailed for two-and-a-half years for his latest crimes. He must serve half of the term before being released on licence.