Telford burglar gets suspended prison sentence

Shaun Titley was with a group who broke into an empty property in Burford, Brookside, in September last year, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard yesterday.

Mr Antony Longworth, prosecuting, said a resident in a nearby house was woken by noises and called the police.

He said 33-year-old Titley was seen running away with others. The court heard he was carrying a torch and threw a pair of gloves over a wall when he was arrested a short while later. AMr Longworth said another man who was seen running away was found with Titley’s bank card.

Police examined properties in the area and found an empty flat in Burford had been broken into.

Footprints matching Titley’s shoes were found in the premises, although there was no evidence of anything being stolen.

Mr Longworth said Titley was released on police bail, but breached his bail conditions by returning to Brookside to carry out another burglary at a flat in Beaconsfield in December last year.

Police received a call saying someone was trying to get in a communal door at some flats. The court heard that a window in a ground floor flat was broken and Titley had been acting with others.

Mr Longworth said a boiler was stolen and pipes were cut, which flooded the empty property causing £4,100 worth of damage.

Police examined the scene and found blood matching Titley’s. Titley, of Briarwood, Brookside, had admitted two charges of burglary and one count of going equipped for theft at an earlier court hearing.

Mr Robert Edwards, representing Titley, said he had been the “fall guy” for the group and he did not benefit from the crime.

He said: “It’s my submission he had a subordinate role. It’s a case where he was exploited by them.”

The court heard he was the sole carer for his 11-year-old daughter.

Recorder Roger Evans said it was clear he was easily led.

He handed Titley a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years. He will also have to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 200 hours of unpaid work and abide by a three-month curfew.

Mr Evans told him: “You’ve had a very narrow escape from prison.”