Ex-RAF soldier stole nearly £30k of belongings from friends and neighbours he cleaned for
Victims “violated” include 10-year-old boy whose camera was stolen, girl whose bedroom was searched and Telford widow whose late husband’s pocket watch chain was taken.
A former RAF soldier-turned cleaner stole nearly £30,000 of treasured items from neighbours and ex-military pals when he went to clean their homes.
Father-of-five Richard Turner, 50, was seen on CCTV with “bulging pockets” after helping himself to expensive jewellery belonging to one of his victims.
He also stole items of “extremely high” sentimental value, including things that belonged to one victim’s dead grandmother and a woman’s late husband.
A 10-year-old was also among the victims Turner “violated”, stealing his prized Nikon digital camera.
Turner also rooted through a girl’s bedroom, leaving her feeling “vulnerable”.
Some of the items were sold on the internet, some were recovered.
Shrewsbury Crown Court was told that Turner and his wife - who had nothing to do with the stealing - had started a cleaning business, KR Domestic Cleaners.
Neighbours and friends supported the venture by hiring him to clean their homes.
Some of his clients also had military backgrounds and felt Turner would be trustworthy due to his history. One victim pointed to the fact his children and Turner’s went to the same school.
But while in the homes of five different customers, Turner lined his pockets with their valuables.
All of the thefts took place in June and July last year, with the most lucrative being an £18,360 haul from one victim which included a Tag pink face watch; a silver Tiffany bangle; a Sapphire diamond ring; pearl earrings and a Dior necklace along with other jewellery.
Some of that jewellery belonged to the victim’s late grandmother.
The victim investigated his own CCTV on July 15 last year after noticing items had gone missing.
“He saw him (Turner) walking out with bulging pockets with the loot he had stolen,” said Danny Smith, prosecuting.
Further victims were identified and police went to Turner’s home two days later. Officers found several items which had been reported missing and Turner was arrested.
He made “significant admissions” to the thefts when he was interviewed in custody by police.
Items Turner stole from other victims were listed in court.
From a victim in Albrighton, Turner stole Ralph Lauren sunglasses, a Pandora bracelet, a Swarovski jewellery set and a silver ring.
A DKNY watch, Armani sunglasses, Dior aftershave and a 10-year-old’s Nikon camera and memory card were stolen from a family in Wolverhampton.
A Telford widow had her later husband’s gold pocket watch chain stolen, as well as perfume, ornaments and £500 in cash.
Another Albrighton victim had Beats headphones taken by Turner, as well as Ray Ban sunglasses, an Anker magnetic phone charger and Apple Airpods.
In total, Turner stole items worth £29,806.30.
“To say this is a kick in the teeth is an understatement,” says thief’s “second mum”.
Victim impact statements from all five were read, with some describing feeling “violated”, and now fearful of allowing cleaners or tradespeople into their homes.
The wife of the victim who uncovered Turner’s offending said: “It has lost us money, time and peace of mind,” adding that they only found out what had happened an hour before leaving for the airport on holiday.
A man in Albrighton Turner stole from said: “He’s an ex-serviceman. Our kids went to the same school. When we invited them into our home, we trusted him.”
Another victim said: “He was a trusted family friend. There is a previous military connection.
“We actively tried to support his new cleaning venture. The situation has been deeply distressing.
“We hope Richard is ashamed of himself and his selfish behaviour.”
The widow whose chain Turner stole described “losing a link” to her late husband.
“He (Turner) referred to me as his second mother,” the victim said. “To say this is a kick in the teeth is an understatement.”
Another victim said: “We all know each other. We’re ex-military families. This loss of trust and faith in someone you assume to be one of us is the most disappointing and damaging thing.”
Turner, of Springfield Drive, Wheaton Aston, Stafford, pleaded guilty to five counts of theft in a dwelling. He has no previous convictions.
Emma Swindell, mitigating, said these thefts demonstrate a “significant fall” for Turner, considering his lack of previous offending and his history in the RAF.
She said that Turner’s pre-sentence report author wrote that he “showed empathy and genuine remorse”, and was “regretful” for what he had done.
The court was also told Turner has post-traumatic stress disorder having done two foreign tours, that he had struggled with alcohol and that he is currently on benefits and living with his mother.
“Violation”
Judge Deni Mathews told Turner: “Across all of the properties there was a total loss of just over £29,000 of items.
“That is very much only a part of the impact. There were items of extremely high sentimental value, including a grandmother’s jewellery.
“The people affected spoke of the loss of trust and the feeling of violation that you had been in their homes, stealing.”
However, he did not send Turner immediately to jail, insisting that he had shown genuine remorse and that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
“You do not present a high risk of harm to anyone, according to the pre-sentence report author,” the judge said.
He handed Turner a jail sentence of two years and four months, suspended for two years.
Turner was also ordered to do 20 rehabilitation activity days and a six-month alcohol rehabilitation programme, as well as pay £150 in prosecution costs.
Compensation is being dealt with outside the criminal court.