Three jailed for burglary at remote Shropshire house

Martin Spencer and Dale Walton threw a brick with "substantial force" through the side window of a home in Lincoln Hill, Ironbridge, while their "getaway driver" Stephen Mills waited nearby in a car.

The offenders forced their way into the home of Kevin and Julie Gough on March 28 and stole £1,272 worth of items,which were never returned, and caused £200 worth of damage.

Recorder Peter Rouch jailed all three for the "despicable offence", which he said made the couple "feel unsafe in their own home".

Spencer and Walton admitted their actions, but Mills denied his involvement and was later found guilty by a jury during a trial.

This was the second burglary at the couple's home in just five years, the court heard.

But since the first break-in in 2009 Mr Gough had installed CCTV, double glazing and bought a dog.

As well as CCTV footage from the property, DNA evidence also matched a discarded milk carton found in a neighbour's garden to Mills.

In a victim statement read to the court, Mr Gough said how "angry" he was following the break-in.

The trio were sentenced together for one count of dwelling burglary at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.

Spencer, 31, of Burtondale, Brookside, and Walton, also 31, of Waverley in Woodside, were given 15-month jail term for the offence and Mills, 56, of Brandsfarm Way, Randlay, was sentenced to nine months.

Walton was also handed an extra three months because he had breached a previously imposed suspended sentence.

Prosecuter Gary Cook said: "On the day of this offence, Mrs Gough was the last to leave the house at around 11.45am.

"Mr Gough had a phone call from a delivery man at around 5.25pm who told him about the burglary."

Mr Cook told the court that the glass had "shattered into a million pieces" and the couple's pets were found "cowering" following the break-in.

He said: "It was a very quiet, rural area. It was the second break in they had had in five years. The impact of the second burglary had opened up old wounds. They felt unsafe in their own home."

The court heard how Mrs Gough had become "substantially distressed" and had taken time off work and would wait in the car until her husband returned home before entering the house.

Recorder Rouch said: "It is a despicable offence. It caused substantial distress and anxiety. This burglary has left a marked effect on the lives of your victims. It was a remote rural area.

"You, Mills took the other two there."

Mills was also described in court as a "classic getaway driver".

He told the defendants they would remain in prison for half of their jail term before being released on licence.

The court heard Walton and Spencer had already served eight months of their custodial sentence.

Mills was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000 on release and Walton and Spencer £1,000 costs between them.