Yahoo News Treasured war medals stolen before police pursuit that was eventually abandoned for safety reasons
Treasured First World War medals, jewellery, $250 and other cash were stolen in two burglaries in Barton, a court heard.
The burglar then got into a car driven by another man and they led police on a 90mph pursuit through Barton as items were tossed from the getaway vehicle.
Humberside Police traffic officers deployed a stinger device to try to stop the car but it got away before the chase was abandoned due to the danger to others.
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At Grimsby Crown Court Jason Mullineux, 47, formerly of a hostel in Manchester admitted two offences of burglary. Adam Harris, 40, of Burgate, Barton admitted dangerous driving. Prosecuting, Katherine White told how Mullineux had 11 previous offences of burglary to his name.
She said the owner of a home of Eastfield Road in Barton went out shopping in the morning of March 30 this year and returned at midday to find the conservatory windows smashed. A brick was found in the middle of the property where cupboards had been searched. A large bottle used for collecting coins was missing. A total of 250 dollars were also taken.
The owner checked his doorbell Ring app and spotted a man had walked down the side of the home and was later seen leaving with the bottle and getting into a Citroen Picasso. Shortly afterwards police received a report that a property in Meadows Drive, Barton was broken into. A window had been smashed in and an untidy search of the cupboards made.
The owner, when she returned, found her pet dog in a distressed state. Missing, was a laptop, a BB gun, a gold bracelet, keys and First World War medals which belonged to her grandfather. Other items taken included her husband's cuff links which she had given to him for his 21st birthday and a silver necklace.
A neighbour showed the owner some CCTV footage of a man in a distinctive jacket at the property. Miss White said police conducted patrols in the area and officers in a car spotted a car which then turned around and sped off.
The Citroen Picasso, driven by Harris, was pursued through the town at speed. Items, including the laptop were seen thrown out of the car as police trailed the car along Barrow Road. The prosecutor said speeds reached 60 mph in a 30mph limit and on-coming cars had to move out of the way as Harris drove the car dangerously, overtaking other cars.
She said it narrowly missed some cars as speeds went up to 90mph through the town. Police used a stinger device in the Market Place but the Citroen was driven aggressively around the device. Miss White said officers were ordered to abandon the pursuit due to the risks to others.
Mullineux was later spotted walking in the town and arrested, as he had dollars in his pocket. Harris was arrested a few days later at his last known address. In interview he said he had fled from police because he had drugs in the car. He said he had driven the car and saw his friend in the street so stopped to give him a lift.
Miss White said Mullineux had 29 convictions for 53 previous offences, eleven of them for burglary. Harris had one previous offence from 2001. She said it had been a prolonged and persistent chase by police.
She said the owner of the home in Eastfield Road felt vulnerable and angry because he felt he should be able to go out and know his home is safe. The other victim told how the impact had led to a loss of confidence and she checks all windows and doors repeatedly each day. She said she was upset that her pet dog had been made distressed and she was heartbroken at the loss of the medals and treasured jewellery.
For Mullineux, Hannah Turner said her client had moved from Manchester to the area to be nearer family in Bridlington. He was on a methadone programme, after a drug addiction for 15 years, but was unable to obtain the drug substitute at a chemist's shop.
She said he was struggling to withdraw from the addiction. Miss Turner said he was repairing bikes to earn money.
Judge Gurdial Singh said: "His record is truly appalling. He has come over here to commit burglary without any concerns for others. This is the third time he has been a third-strike burglar. His offending has got worse and he only has himself to blame for that."
He said Harris had "driven like an idiot." He agreed with the proposal of Harris' defence barrister, Richard Butters, his client should have a suspended sentence as recommended in a pre-sentence report.
Judge Singh said the stolen items were lost. "No doubt they were discarded or sold for you to take drugs. I am glad you are doing well in prison because that's where you are going," he said. He jailed Mullineux for three years. Harris received a nine month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was banned from driving for 18 months and ordered to take an extended retest.
