Teenage burglar's sentence cut

Scott Jones (19), of Savill Road, Wath, broke into the house with two teenage friends after the three drank 36 bottles of lager between them at another friend's house.

Jones was caged for 12 months at Sheffield Crown Court in June after he pleaded guilty to burglary.

His two accomplices—aged 16 and 15—were given six months’ detention and a 12-month referral order respectively after they admitted the same offence.

But judges sitting at London's Criminal Appeal Court last Thursday slashed Jones' sentence to six months, saying the original term was "excessive".

Mr Justice Flaux, sitting with Lord Justice Hooper and Mr Justice Spencer, told the court Jones and the two other teenagers drank throughout the afternoon and evening on September 5 last year at a friend's house in Bolton-upon-Dearne, while she was out.

The court heard the three drank 36 bottles of lager between them before deciding to break into the house next door, which belonged to two elderly brothers who were on holiday at the time.

They stole items worth £1,500 from the house, including medals, cigarette lighters and alcohol.

The trio then left the area, leaving most of the stolen goods at their friend's house.

When their friend returned home, she found the items and immediately called the police.

The two victims gave statements to the Crown Court, in which one said he was "distressed" and felt unsafe in the house, and the other said he had to change his honeymoon plans because he didn't want to leave his brother on his own.

The court heard Jones had no previous convictions, "accepted full responsibility" for his crime and "recognised the effect on his victims" in a report prepared by the probation service.

However, the Crown Court judge said Jones, being the oldest of the raiders, should have put a stop to the crime.

Lawyers acting for Jones successfully argued his sentence was too long, given his youth, guilty plea, previous good character and a positive reference from his employer.

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