Boxing Day burglars jailed for ruining man's Christmas

BOXING Day burglars slammed by a judge for ruining Christmas for a Bristol householder have each been jailed for three and a half years.

Prolific offenders Shawn Pearce and Andrew Jacobson broke into the home of Michael Baker in Luckwell Road, Bedminster, Bristol Crown Court heard.

After entering an unlocked conservatory they grabbed a canvas bag and stole tools from the garage.

Neighbours called police and both intruders were caught in nearby gardens. Pearce, 38, of Hartgill Close, Withywood, and Jacobson, 43, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary. Jacobson asked for two further break-ins, which he indicated to police on a drive around, to be considered.

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Judge Julian Lambert told them: "What you did was wicked, deliberate and callous.

"Decent folk are entitled to go to bed on Boxing Day without worrying that common criminals will enter their homes. You spoilt Christmas and you spoilt new year."

Richard Posner, prosecuting, said a neighbour heard a noise at 5am on Boxing Day before spotting the defendants outside at 6.30am.

When police scrambled to the scene and arrested both men, Pearce said he was chasing someone who had stolen his bicycle.

Police found stolen tools in a car Jacobson was driving without insurance or the proper driving licence.

The court was told householder Mr Baker was "infuriated" the burglars struck at Christmas, which impacted both on his holiday and his finances.

Mr Baker said he had received a letter of apology from Pearce, who said his own family had been the victim of burglary.

If that was the case, Mr Baker said, why would Pearce want to commit a burglary on someone else?

Both men had a plethora of house break-ins on their criminal records, Mr Posner said.

Peter Richardson, defending Pearce, said his client, who struggled with drug addiction, would be happy to meet Mr Baker under the restorative justice programme but did not think Mr Baker would see him.

Detective Constable Nick Tizzard said: "It was a particularly callous offence over the Christmas period."