Three individuals forced their way into the home of a pensioner while he was being treated in hospital, a court has heard. The burglary occurred on May 27 on Oxford Street in Swansea, with one defendant having been released from prison only hours earlier.
Details of the Burglary
Prosecutor Craig Jones told Swansea Crown Court that residents heard Cara Short calling the victim's name and banging on the front door. The victim, who was an in-patient at the hospital, was known to allow people into his flat. Short was joined by Ben Watson and Sean Dempster. A witness heard a male voice ask Short if the occupant had any money, to which she replied that he kept it 'in the sofa'.
The defendants kicked and shoulder-charged the door until it collapsed, then conducted an 'untidy' search of the property. Short was seen leaving with a 'large dark-coloured item'. It has not been possible to determine what was taken as the victim remains in hospital.
Defendants' Backgrounds
Cara Louise Short, 34, of Wood Close, Neath, has previous convictions for theft, battery, public disorder, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. She was subject to a suspended sentence at the time. Sean Dempster, 38, of Oystermouth Road, Swansea, has convictions for affray, false imprisonment, intentional suffocation, and criminal damage. Ben Watson, 32, of Gwylfa Avenue, Townhill, Swansea, has prior burglary, battery, and criminal damage convictions and was subject to a conditional discharge.
Mitigation and Sentencing
Giles Hayes, for Watson, said his client had been released from prison on the day of the burglary, saw his son, then ended up in the city centre where he 'fell into association with like-minded individuals' and consumed alcohol before the offence. Watson's partner is due to give birth next week, and he realizes he will miss it due to his actions.
Megan Williams, for Short, cited a pre-sentence report detailing 'trauma and difficulties' in her life, including drug misuse from age 16 and losing care of her son. Since being remanded, she has received medication for mental health issues.
Andrew Evans, for Dempster, noted 'adverse childhood experiences' and said it was unsurprising that his adult life involved drug misuse and imprisonment. Evans stated Dempster was 'not capable of being in society and not committing offences' and welcomed custody as it would provide a roof and three meals a day.
Judge Paul Thomas KC told the defendants they had burgled the home of a 'particularly vulnerable' individual while he was in hospital. With one-third discounts for guilty pleas, each was sentenced to two years in prison. The judge activated 12 weeks of Short's suspended sentence to run concurrently and imposed no separate penalty for Watson's breach. The defendants will serve 40% of their sentences in custody before release on licence.
