A burglar ransacked a children's nursery twice in quick succession in order to steal tins of spaghetti, but was caught out after leaving behind a trail of blood.
Paul Hughes left the business thousands of pounds out of pocket having returned to pilfer the site for a second time only days after targeting it on the first occasion. But the 50-year-old was identified as the culprit after smashing a window to gain entry, cutting himself in the process and leaving his DNA at the scene.
Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Tuesday, that the serial offender first targeted Bizz Kids, on Tithebarn Street in Liverpool city centre, on January 16 this year. Hughes, of no fixed address, stole items including tablet computers once inside.
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Stuart Mills, prosecuting, described how he then returned 12 days later shortly after midnight on January 28 - taking a laptop and charger, tins of beans and spaghetti and washing tablets. Spots of blood were discovered in the premises after a window was smashed while entry was forced.
After his arrest, Hughes denied he was the man shown inside the nursery on CCTV footage and was unable to explain how he had been linked to the scene by his DNA. Goods worth a total of £1,168 were stolen during the two break-ins, with £1,278 of damage caused and £1,131 lost in takings due to the site having to close following the second incident.
The defendant has a number of previous convictions dating back to 1989, including 27 for burglary or attempted burglary, and was last before the judges in January 2020 - when he received a year for such an offence. Charles Lander, defending, told the court that his client suffers from health conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
Hughes was seen clutching his chest and heard breathing heavily throughout the hearing. His counsel added: "The facts speak for themselves.
"They don't do him any credit at all. Regrettably, he once again began using class A drugs and couldn't afford them.
"There had been a number of years where he had not been offending and doing well, and was committed to living a crime-free life. He is determined to lead a law-abiding lifestyle."
Hughes admitted two counts of burglary during an earlier hearing. He was jailed for 14 months.
Sentencing, Recorder Peter Atherton said: "There was some degree of planning in identifying these premises on the first occasion and deciding to do what you did, and some more planning on the second occasion - you having already identified the vulnerability of this premises. This business provides important services to children and their parents.
"Clearly these offences would have caused anxiety to those responsible for the safe care of the children. The main aggravating factor is your record.
"You have a bad record of offending, including many offences of this type for which you have received a variety of sentences over many years. You express your deep regret and remorse for committing these offences, saying you are truly sorry to anyone affected by your actions."
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