Serial offender, 20, is jailed for "heartbreaking" burglaries (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Serial offender, 20, is jailed for "heartbreaking" burglaries

6:06pm Tuesday 17th July 2012 in North Wilts news By Standard reporter

A BURGLAR who ransacked nine allotment sheds in one night has been jailed for seven months.

Adam Saunders, formerly of Broadleaze, Down Ampney, but now of no fixed address, received the sentence at Gloucester crown court after flouting a chance to keep his liberty.

The 20-year-old had appeared in court in May when he admitted three burglary charges. He had asked for six others offences to be taken into account and was bailed to see if he could stay out of trouble and complete a previous unpaid work sentence.

But after failing to return to court as instructed on July 6 Judge Jamie Tabor refused to show any further leniancy.

Judge Tabor sentenced him to four months in a young offender institution for the burglaries, two months for an outstanding charge of assault, two weeks for breach of bail and two weeks for breaching a conditional discharge.

"You have been given every opportunity and more by this court to mend your ways and try to put yourself on the correct path.

"If you deliberately don't come you will receive a severe sentence. You are a young man I am getting to know rather too well."

Sabhia Pathan, defending, pleaded for a non-custodial sentence.
In May Saunders had been in the dock with his brother Benjamin Savory, 18, of Broadleaze, Down Ampney. Each pleaded guilty to the three Somerford Road shed burglaries on March 9 this year and asked for six others to be considered.

The following day both men had been spotted by a local builder as they tried to retrieve some of the stolen goods. They were arrested by local police officers.

Jailing Saunders, Judge Tabor said "Yes, here were some pensioners with a nice quiet place and a couple of yobs come down and break open all the sheds and take out their goods.  Heartbreaking for them."