Yahoo News Caravan burglar caught after he left blood at scene
Burglar Kenneth Tew was caught after he left his blood at the scene. The 38-year-old - who has an appalling record for dishonesty with 39 convictions for 86 offences - together with another man, broke into a caravan stored at business premises in Meir.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard they stole a television and other items. But Tew was traced after leaving blood at the scene. Now Tew has been jailed for six months.
Prosecutor Fiona Cortese said the victim stored his £6,000 caravan at a car repair business in Uttoxeter Road, Meir. Miss Cortese said: "He closed the business at 2pm on March 23 and the caravan was secure. When he returned two days later at 8.30am he opened the gates and noticed some items had been knocked over and moved. The caravan had been forced open. Holiday items in the caravan were not inside."
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Items stolen included a television, an awning and some brandy. The owner contacted his insurance company and it gave him a payment for the damage and the contents. The defendant's DNA was found from blood left at the scene.
Tew, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and failing to surrender. The offences placed him in breach of a conditional discharge for the possession of a prohibited weapon. His pleas were on a basis he was with another man who took him to the complainant. They both entered the caravan and he assisted taking items. He did not receive any financial gain and did not take the awning.
Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, conceded Tew has a bad record. He said: "He offends, goes to prison, comes out, he is on a cycle.
"He would like to have the assistance of the court to allow him his liberty today. Now he is sober he is adamant he could comply with any order of the court."
Recorder Robert Smith told Tew: "You have an appalling record for dishonesty."
