Burglar stole our Christmas - and got away with it (From South Wales Argus)

Burglar stole our Christmas - and got away with it

11:20am Thursday 3rd December 2009

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A FAMILY who had all their Christmas gifts stolen by a burglar were left fuming by his sentence. Denny Roberts, formerly of Hood Road, Newport, was jailed for 12 months - but is already serving a 28-month sentence for stabbing a homeless man in February this year, and was told by Judge David Morris he would serve the two sentences concurrently.

The ruling means he is unlikely to serve any extra time for the burglary.

After the sentencing, single father-of-five Malcolm Baker said he was disappointed with Judge Morris' decision, and felt he had been let down by the justice system after Roberts' actions "wiped Christmas off the map" for his family.

Roberts, 29, appeared in Newport crown court alongside Katie Whitbread, of Clifton Place, Newport, after the pair pleaded guilty to the burglary in Kier Hardie Crescent, Newport, on December 21, 2008.

The Christmas presents were stolen from Mr Baker's home, after he told family friend Whitbread, 25, where he hid his children's gifts.

When Mr Baker took his children to karate club around 4pm December 21, Whitbread broke into the house stealing two boxes of prescription drugs. Roberts then stole £4,500 worth of wrapped gifts from the attic, including MP3 players, a mobile phone, and computer games. He also took a camcorder, perfume and a watch.

When Mr Baker returned to home two hours later, he found Roberts in the back garden carrying the camcorder.

The court heard Roberts assaulted Mr Baker as he tried to restrain him and kicked a police officer in the shins when he was being arrested.

The stolen gifts were later recovered, but police held them as part of their ongoing investigation, leaving the family with no presents.

Mr Baker, 61, said the robbery had a profound effect on him and his children Chloe, 17, Ellis, 15, Lucy, 14, Lee, 12, and Katie, 11 were "heartbroken."

Roberts' counsel, Harry Baker said Roberts had admitted the offences and was on heroin at the time. Claire Pickthorn, representing Whitbread said she had apologised to Mr Baker in writing and was trying to turn her life around.

Sentencing Roberts, Judge Morris described the burglary as a “mean offence.” He said the 12-month sentence would run the term Roberts is already serving. Whitbread was given an eight-month suspended sentence.

Mr Baker said his children felt betrayed by Whitbread, who they had known for four years and "treated like a sister", but that they were looking forward to this Christmas.

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