A BURGLAR who left four adjacent businesses more than £7,000 out of pocket in an early morning raid will spend two years in prison.

Mark Russell, of Moorland Road, Ebbw Vale, was involved in a series of burglaries that took place in the early hours of March 11, in Abertillery.

The 27-year-old previously pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary, Cardiff Crown Court was told yesterday.

The court heard how four businesses on Church Street – Pawfection Pets, The Coffee Shop, M & J Veg and Ladbrokes – fell victim to the defendant, who made of £1,420 and caused damage to the tune of £5,632.

Prosecuting, James Lewis told said all the burglaries followed a similar pattern where the rear fire and access doors were all forced and security equipment was damaged.

He added that Russell was identified by a distinctive tattoo on his right wrist, captured on CCTV.

“The sleeve was ripped and on the right wrist was the name ‘Kyle,” he said.

Mr Lewis added that a security feature used by Ladbrokes placed Russell in the shop at the time of the burglary.

“In Ladbrokes, a security bundle of cash consisting of 10 £5 notes was placed in the safe.

“The serial numbers were checked with the cash that was found at property where Mr Russell was arrested,” he said.

Mr Lewis read out victim impact statements from each of the businesses, who said the burglaries had imposed serious financial implications.

Defending, Sarah Waters told the court that Russell had admitted his guilt at the earliest stage.

“Following his release from his previous custodial sentence, he says he received no support in terms of employment or accommodation,” she added.

“He fell in with others to commit these offences.”

Concluding, judge Jeremy Jenkins told the court a custodial sentence was the only suitable punishment.

“These were targeted premises,” he said. “In each case, thousands of pounds of damage was caused.”

Mr Jenkins told Russell he hoped he realised how his actions had affected the businesses.

Russell was sentenced to 16 months for the burglaries at Pawfection Pets, the Coffee Shop and M & J Veg, and 24 months for the Ladbrokes burglary to run concurrently.