Newport ‘professional’ burglar nabbed using stolen cards (From South Wales Argus)

Newport ‘professional’ burglar nabbed using stolen cards

12:40pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News

JAILED: James Foran

A JUDGE described a Newport father as a “professional burglar” as he jailed him for three years and ten months yesterday.

James Foran, 34, of Henry Morgan Close in Duffryn, had already pleaded guilty to burgling a family home in Gaer, Newport, on May 7 last year.

Foran also pleaded guilty to four fraud charges after admitting using four credit and debit cards to withdraw £1,160 from a cashpoint at Asda in Duffryn.

The court heard that Foran, who has 11 previous conviction for stealing from homes, stole a handbag containing the cards as well as a laptop computer containing the family’s photographs at around 3.30am on the May bank holiday.

He was seen withdrawing the cash later that morning by staff at Asda, who called the police.

Representing Foran, Nigel Fryer said he was a father of three with one son who was deaf and he understood the damage his actions had caused and was sorry.

Sentencing Foran, His Honour Judge Neil Bidder QC, said: “All dwelling house burglaries are serious.

“One can imagine the distress of the occupiers when they discovered what had happened.

“You have an appalling record for dwelling house burglaries and other offences of dishonesty and it would not be unfair to call you a professional house burglar.”