Telford man jailed over £18,000 burglary at firm
A Telford man who was part of a gang that stole £18,000 worth of electrical items from a Shropshire rental firm has been jailed for more than two years.
Stuart Stoker was with at least three other people when he broke into Press Red Rentals in Madeley, Telford, in the early hours of October 20 last year, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.
Mr Simon Warlock, prosecuting, said DNA recovered by forensic officers on one of the drainpipes was found to belong to Stoker.
"Clearly he had scaled the building," he said.
He said the raid had been a "professional entry" and the thieves had got away with thousands of pounds worth of electrical items. The burglary also caused more than £1,000 damage at the premises.
The company rents a range of audio-visual, sound, lighting and video equipment, along with a selection of furniture, for use at events.
Stoker, 28, of Peacock Grove in Ketley, was arrested a week after the offence took place. The court heard that a projector and box were found at an address searched by the police and the company confirmed it belonged to them.
Mr Warlock said following the incident, bosses from Press Red Rentals said they struggled to sleep and the burglary had a financial impact on the firm, with consequences expected to last a few years.
Stoker admitted one count of burglary, which the court heard had happened between 2.50am and 3.10am on October 20 last year.
Mr Delroy Henry, for Stoker, said his client was about to become a father for the first time. He said it was hoped this would lead him on to the right path in the future.
But Judge Robin Onions said Stoker had an unhappy record of offending and had more than 20 previous convictions for violence, dishonesty, drugs and burglary.
Handing Stoker a 27-month prison sentence, he told him: "This was a targeted burglary of this premises at night."
