A burglar who broke into the homes of a terminally ill woman and a man with dementia as he targeted a number of properties with the help of his partner has been ordered to pay back just £259.
Michael Starmore, 42, stole a number of items including a wedding ring, a Rolex watch, bank cards, and a stuffed badger during a series of thefts between November 2024 and April 2025.
Series of burglaries
Starmore carried out his first theft on November 8, 2024, after his victim reported his wallet stolen. The card was later used at a garage in Brynmawr for a transaction of £20, and after CCTV was analysed the defendant was identified as the person using the card.
A theft was also carried out on February 12 when Starmore took three parcels containing children's books from outside a property and was driven away in a white Audi driven by his partner Tasha Robinson, 37.
On March 14, a woman attended the home of her father, who had been admitted to hospital and diagnosed with dementia, and found the front door key wasn't working and a window had been left open. The woman climbed through the window and realised an untidy search had been carried out and various items had been stolen. Among the items taken from the house were three diamond rings, a wedding ring, a Rolex watch, another watch, and a cheque book.
A foot impression taken from inside the house matched with Reebok trainers belonging to Starmore.
Further break-ins and arrest
On April 8, a man realised his house had been broken into and called his son, who attended his home. The son saw the kitchen window had been smashed and forced open, and a search had taken place with items scattered around the room. Paperwork belonging to the victim was later found at Starmore's address.
On April 9, a man attended his mother's home and was looking after the property after she was admitted into hospital with a terminal illness. When he got to his mother's home he noticed it had been broken into and an untidy search had taken place, with items taken including a stuffed badger, a Kindle, and financial documentation. The documentation was later found in a white Audi belonging to Starmore.
On April 10, both defendants were found in possession of amphetamine after two bags were discovered in the console of the white Audi, containing 6.25g and 5.6g of amphetamine respectively.
Sentencing and proceeds order
Starmore, of Duke Street, Blaenavon, pleaded guilty to burglary, fraud by false representation, and possession of amphetamine. He was sentenced to four years imprisonment at a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court last year.
Robinson, of Duke Street, Blaenavon, pleaded guilty to burglary and possession of amphetamine. She has previous convictions for drug driving and failing to surrender. She was sentenced to two years imprisonment, a term which is suspended for two years.
A Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday, September 25, heard Starmore benefited to the tune of £15,911 as a result of his offending, but he now only has assets worth £259. Robinson was said to have benefited by £13,045, but only has assets worth £1,164.
Recorder Ben Blakemore ordered the defendants to pay the respective available sums within 28 days or serve an additional 14 days imprisonment in default.
