Judge rejects 'drunk' claim by three burglars
Three men who broke into a cafe in the early hours of the morning claimed they were so drunk they could not remember doing it. But the claim was dismissed as rubbish by a crown court judge.
Judge David Hale, sitting at Mold Crown Court, said that they had been able to break into the cafe in Llangollen and steal property and leave in a car.
The court heard how they were arrested when their car broke down. It appeared to catch fire and smoke was seen coming from the vehicle.
Defendants Jamie Jones, 27, of Dee Bank, Llangollen, his brother Joshua Jones, 21, of Montgomery Road, Wrexham, and Richard Lee Watson, 26, of Bridge Street in Wrexham, admitted burglary at Maxine's Cafe in Llangollen on November 4 last year.
Cash, two till drawers and a bracelet were stolen.
Jamie Jones received nine months, Watson eight months and Joshua Jones received nine months suspended for two years with 35 days rehabilitation because of his mental health problems.
The judge said that the sentence meant that the others would be released very shortly because of the time they had spent on remand.
Judge Hale said: "You refused to answer questions and claimed you were so drunk that you didn't remember anything about it. Rubbish.
"It's a bit silly to say that you were so drunk you could not remember."
Philip Clemo, for Joshua Jones, said that his client had some very serious mental health issues which needed to be dealt with.
Ceri Evans, for Jamie Jones, said that he had a girlfriend and two children and was looking forward to getting back to family life.
Henry Hills, for Watson, said that his client had not engaged with the probation service, was realistic and knew it would be custody.
A fourth man charged with the burglary had been found not guilty at an earlier stage.
