Two burglars who went on a week-long crime spree trashed family homes and stole jewellery that held priceless memories, a court was told. Kevin Davies, of Isaac Way in Rhosymedre, Wrexham, appeared before Mold Crown Court charged with burglary. His co-accused - Tyler Williams, of Abbots Way in Bangor on Dee - faced three burglary charges.
Ryan Rothwell, prosecuting, told the court that Williams broke into a home in Malpas in Cheshire where a family of four lived. The husband, wife and two children left home on August 14, 2020, and went away to Kent for the weekend.
The home owner was alerted to footage from his home CCTV cameras of two men in dark clothing running away from the property in the early hours of Saturday morning. The police were alerted after a neighbour who checked on the home found "a devastating scene of destruction".
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The burglars had used a 12ft gate that appeared to have been removed from a neighbouring field to scale the property walls, Mr Rothwell said. They then slipped into the house through a bedroom window.
The homeowners realised that the burglars had entered every room in the house, the court heard. Mr Rothwell said that carpets and clothing had been "doused" with a mixture of "beer and Fairy Liquid". He added that cleaning products had also been sprayed "from floor to ceiling" in multiple rooms.
Jewellery was taken, the prosecution added, which had previously been replaced after they were victims of another burglary less than two years ago. The couple's daughter also had jewellery stolen and her jewellery box "doused with Fairy Liquid".
The court also heard how a porcelain jug described as a family heirloom was smashed and a page had also been ripped out of the couple's wedding album. It took the family three days to clean up the mess but - despite intense cleaning - the smells "remained for days afterwards".
In a victim impact statement the family said they now fear leaving their home unattended, and haven't done so since the incident. They described it as a “pure act of cruelty” and believed the invasion.
Days later, a vet living in Nercwys was targeted by Williams. He was away with his partner on what would have been her mother's birthday, but she had recently died.
On August 21, Thomas Ingman-Roberts came home and found every room of his house had been raided, the court heard. "Sentimental" jewellery belonging to their late parents had been swiped, and there had been "mindless" vandalism including wine and champagne poured on the walls.
Mr Ingman-Roberts gave a statement which told the court how the vandalism had "soiled" the good memories he had of growing up in the property. The incident caused the breakdown of the couple's 11-year relationship as Mr Ingman-Roberts' partner didn't feel safe there any more, but he wouldn't leave due to the family ties he had at the house.
Mr Rothwell said that both men were behind a third burglary committed in Eryrys near Mold. The family, who had been away in Snowdonia for a camping holiday, were "devastated" to return home and find they had been robbed.
Inside the property, as well as ripped-up birthday cards, the family found clothes had been pulled from wardrobes and now empty jewellery boxes were cast aside on their bed. Some items were thankfully found in a pillowcase that had been abandoned in the garden, the court heard.
Vigilant neighbours, who knew the family were on holiday, spotted lights on in the house and alerted the police. A helicopter was deployed and three men were caught leaving the house with Lee Williams - who was jailed for the crime in October 2020 - arrested at the scene.
Both Williams and Davies managed to escape. However, they were linked back to the scene of the crime when an abandoned Volkswagen Golf registered in Davies' name was found in a nearby farmer's field.
Williams' mobile phone, which was left in the vehicle, had been analysed and cell sited in the areas of the other burglaries when they took place, said Mr Rothwell. In some cases, Williams was in the area prior to the offences as well, likely "scouting" the property.
Phil Tully, defending for Williams, said his client is sorry for his actions and has made "real effort" to turn his life around since August 2020. The court heard how he had completed an apprenticeship and has become a dad.
James Coutts, defending Davies, added that his client had also made "real life changes". He has also had a child, which has brought a "mature and stabilising factor" to his life, and "flourished" in his new employment, the court heard.
Judge Timothy Petts jailed Williams for four years and eight months for the three break-ins. Davies was given a shorter sentence of two years and two months.
