Jail for man who stole Christmas

Darren James Smith (39), took children’s gifts and electrical items including toys and a PlayStation 4 in Woodlaithes on December 29.

He woke one of the residents as he escaped on a stolen mountain bike. When the resident banged on the upstairs window, Smith ditched the bike and ran off with the other presents.

Smith, of Princes Street, Rotherham, was arrested after his image was captured on a nearby CCTV camera trying to gain access to homes in the area.

He admitted two offences of burglary at an earlier hearing and a further four charges when being sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday (27).

Det Sgt Iain Martin said: “Burglary is a horribly invasive crime, made all the worse in this case, by Smith stealing children’s new Christmas presents.

“The significant sentence handed to Smith demonstrates the commitment we, as part of the criminal justice service, have to tackling those involved in burglary.”