This is Exeter -- A homeless burglar has been jailed after he smashed down doors in a student accommodation block to steal valuables from rooms. Gareth Preston was caught red-handed by a maintenance man as he raided the rooms at the converted grammar school building in Exeter on the first day of the new University term. Shocked students returned from their Christmas vacations to find doors had been forced open or ripped off their hinges by Preston, who had only been out of jail for a few weeks. Preston, aged 31, formerly of Clyst St Mary, Exeter, admitted three burglaries and was jailed for 29 months by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, at Exeter Crown Court. The judge told him he was subject to a mandatory sentence because he has two previous convictions for domestic burglaries. Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said a maintenance man working at the former Bishop Blackall girls' grammar school in New North Road, Exeter found Preston on the premises on January 5. A male and female students arriving back from vacation found their rooms had been broken into. Jewellery had been stolen from the girl's room and a single cufflink from the boy's, which was found in Preston's pocket. Mr Richings said:"The building as a whole was entered by the removal of a wooden door panel and the door of the female student's room had been forced off its hinges. "A gold necklace, a silver necklace, a watch and cash were stolen from her room and a single cuff link from the other room." Mr Jason Beal, defending, said the offence had been committed at a time when Preston was living a chaotic lifestyle but he deserves credit for admitting his involvement straight away.
Reported by This is 5 hours ago.
This is Exeter -- A homeless burglar has been jailed after he smashed down doors in a student accommodation block to steal valuables from rooms. Gareth Preston was caught red-handed by a maintenance man as he raided the rooms at the converted grammar school building in Exeter on the first day of the new University term. Shocked students returned from their Christmas vacations to find doors had been forced open or ripped off their hinges by Preston, who had only been out of jail for a few weeks. Preston, aged 31, formerly of Clyst St Mary, Exeter, admitted three burglaries and was jailed for 29 months by Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, at Exeter Crown Court. The judge told him he was subject to a mandatory sentence because he has two previous convictions for domestic burglaries. Mr Gordon Richings, prosecuting, said a maintenance man working at the former Bishop Blackall girls' grammar school in New North Road, Exeter found Preston on the premises on January 5. A male and female students arriving back from vacation found their rooms had been broken into. Jewellery had been stolen from the girl's room and a single cufflink from the boy's, which was found in Preston's pocket. Mr Richings said:"The building as a whole was entered by the removal of a wooden door panel and the door of the female student's room had been forced off its hinges. "A gold necklace, a silver necklace, a watch and cash were stolen from her room and a single cuff link from the other room." Mr Jason Beal, defending, said the offence had been committed at a time when Preston was living a chaotic lifestyle but he deserves credit for admitting his involvement straight away.
Reported by This is 5 hours ago.