A Burnley man has asked a judge to give him the longest possible sentence, saying that he “enjoyed being in prison”.
David Jones, 41, appeared before Preston Crown Court charged with one count of burglary and two counts of stalking.
The offences took place in September, when Jones was released on licence from another sentence, and bumped into a former partner who offered him accommodation at her house.
After taking him in, she bought him a PlayStation 5 to help him stay out of trouble and to avoid taking drugs.
In the days after, the victim would come home to find Jones drunk and muttering to himself.
The victim then went to bed but was awoken to the sound of the door closing and noticed that the PlayStation had gone missing.
Geoffrey Lowe, prosecuting, said that the victim then told Jones to collect his belongings from her house, which she had left in the garden.
A further text told him to collect his things at 7 pm, but one minute later, the defendant replied, telling her that the landlord needed to fix the window.
When she returned him, she saw the window had been smashed, the back gate panel had been kicked out, and the bins had been moved, as well as photographs.
Whilst walking through the address, she also saw that the cupboard drawer was open, which contained her mother's jewellery.
Included within the box was a gold ring, several gold bracelets, and she realised some other items were missing, and she valued the amount lost to herself at £4000.
But a victim impact statement explained that the items were of great sentimental value and belonged to her late mother.
READ MORE: Man awaiting day in court as police investigate reports of burglary and theft
READ MORE: Men jailed for more than six years over targeted burglaries
A victim impact statement said: “I live alone, and I never felt so shocked when I saw my window smashed at my home for anyone to walk in.
“It made me feel vulnerable, and I never slept, and I was in shock that someone could do that, and my own personal space had been invaded.
“Sometimes I thought she was in the room with me, and what members of her family had given her the item. Nothing will bring the personal things back, and the police said he did not comment.
“I am back at work now, but it has affected my mood and my concentration, and I do not know what more to say about such a horrific thing.”
Bob Elias, defending, explained that his offence was aggravated by the fact that he knew who the victim was and he took advantage of her kindness.
However, to the court's surprise, Elias explained that his client had a longstanding problem with alcohol and during his time in prison had been going to the gym and to church and that he felt better than he had in years.
The court heard that Jones wanted to remain in prison to sort himself out.
Mr Elias said: “This defendant would like to remain in custody for an immediate term imprisonment, but not minimising the seriousness and prison is doing him good.
“There are rare individuals who it allows them to dry out and take advantage of the facilities in the long term.
This is unusual mitigation, trying to put my client's instructions before the court. He gets on well with the probation, until he falls off and is back in front of the court.”
Judge Richard Archer said that the defendant had heard the emotional effect the jewellery had had on the victim and asked if he could answer as to where the items had gone.
However, Jones said he didn’t think he stole any jewellery, despite pleading guilty to the offence in the magistrates' court.
Judge Archer said: “You smashed your way into the property and sent her a message taunting her and rubbing her nose in it, and taking items with significant value.
“These items are irreplaceable, and they reflect memories of her mother and child, both of whom are sadly deceased.”
When sentencing, he also added that he had no choice but to give a term of imprisonment, irrespective of the defendant's wishes.
Jones was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment and a 10 restraining order was issued to protect the victim.
Share