Kieran Joyce, a professional burglar out on prison licence, was caught after his DNA was found at properties he targeted in a single day, including a fake number plate that fell off his getaway vehicle. He targeted four houses and a business, stealing jewellery of significant sentimental value.
Burglary Spree in One Day
All offences took place on September 16 last year, prosecutor Regan Walters told Swansea Crown Court. The spree began in Skewen at around 6.20am when two men wearing face coverings tried to enter a plumbing business. Failing to gain entry, they began loading scrap metal into their vehicle.
The business owner was alerted by his video doorbell system and interrupted the raid. The two thieves drove off, but a false number plate fell off the vehicle; police later found Joyce's DNA on it.
Multiple Break-Ins and DNA Evidence
Less than two hours later, in Bishopston on Gower, Joyce confronted a woman in her 80s in her hallway. He made off, and a panel in the back door had been kicked in. His DNA was found on the handle of the woman's bedroom door.
The spree continued in Cwmrhydyceirw, where Joyce was seen holding a screwdriver while another male looked through windows; both ran off. Joyce then broke into a house in Ynysforgan, where the occupant—a woman who had recently lost her husband—was out. Jewellery, including engagement and eternity rings, was taken. His DNA was found on the master bedroom door handle.
The final burglary was in Rhos, where Joyce entered the home of a man staying in hospital. Neighbours alerted a relative to a light on in the property; the man found a forced window and an untidy search. Joyce's DNA was recovered from a cupboard door.
Arrest and Sentencing
Joyce was arrested on October 1 and answered "no comment" to all questions. He was further arrested on May 2 after forensic results were received and again gave a "no comment" interview.
Joyce, of the Mill Stream Way travellers site, Swansea Vale, Swansea, pleaded guilty to theft, two counts of attempted burglary, and three counts of burglary. He has 17 previous convictions for 26 offences, including "multiple burglaries."
In December 2019, he was sentenced to 10 years for his part in a family-run organised crime group based at the Swansea travellers site that carried out more than 70 burglaries across South Wales, stealing jewellery worth over £500,000, almost none of which was recovered.
Joyce was out on licence from that sentence when he committed the new spree and has been recalled to custody until May 2030. Judge Catherine Richards said there was no sentence that could properly reflect the pain burglary causes victims, adding: "To my mind, you are a professional burglar." With one-third discounts for guilty pleas, Joyce was sentenced to five years in prison.
