A couple's home was ransacked and over £21,000 worth of items were stolen in a targeted burglary.
Serial burglar Thomas Quinn, 42, broke into the house in Chapel Lane, Leeds in August this year, moved a fridge and attempted to break into a safe in the floor before giving it up and stealing a Rolex and other items he found there.
Leeds Crown Court heard on Tuesday that bungling burglar Quinn was caught out after blood found at the scene matched his DNA. Prosecutor Robert Galley told the court it was the second time Quinn had targeted a home in under a year.
He had attempted to burgle a house in Manor Farm Drive alongside his co-accused Ross Ellis on April 21 this year.
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Mr Galley said: "It was some time between 2.30pm and 3pm and the complainants were not home but the father-in-law was ill in bed and heard a noise coming from downstairs. He went but couldn't see or hear anything. When the occupants returned they realised the utility room window and sliding door had been damaged."
The owners of the house called police who looked on CCTV and on the footage saw a bright green Vauxhall Corsa being driven down the road. A passenger (Quinn) was seen to get out. The next morning, just before 9.40am, the Corsa was spotted with different registration plates and a search of the vehicle found items used for burglaries including gloves, a hat and a screwdriver.
Both Ellis, 30, and Quinn were arrested and clothing worn by Quinn matched that on the CCTV footage from the day before. Ellis told police he had dropped his daughter off at nursery and had picked Quinn, of Cottingley Drive, up and gave him a lift. Quinn gave no reply in his interview and was released under investigation.
It was during this time he committed the burglary in Chapel Lane.
Mr Galley said: "The complainants returned home and found it had been broken into. The fridge had been moved which covered the floor safe but it had not been forced or opened. A Rolex watch, another watch and various items with a £18,900 value had been taken. Coins as part of a collection were also taken."
The court heard the value of the total items stolen in the burglary was £21,400. None of the items were ever recovered. In a victim impact statement, the owner of the house spoke of the effect it had had on them, and said his partner had been affected the most.
He said his partner had been collecting the coins for six years and the Rolex in particular had a sentimental value as he had been saving for it for much of his life. Mr Galley said: "He couldn't bring himself to believe someone had stolen it. He said he is suspicious of others as he believed someone must have tipped off the burglar about the safe as the fridge was used to cover it."
The court heard DNA found at the property matched the profile of Quinn, who was arrested. The court heard he has a number of previous convictions for offences including burglary. Ellis, of Ring Road in Middleton, has three previous convictions for three offences including attempted robbery and driving over the prescribed limit.
Mitigating for Ellis, Nicholas Hammond, said he had pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and going equipped at an earlier hearing. He said: "He is lightly convicted and his last offence was in 2018. It has been a while since he has been in trouble."
For Quinn, Lily Wildman said the dad-of-three "accepts responsibility" and added: "He is heavily convicted for relevant convictions. All I will say is that there is a three-year gap in his offending He has had a period of custody serving sentences, being released and being in a custody environment again. The pre-sentence details what was going on in his life at that point.
"He has three young children and his partner is present in court and has supported him throughout." The court heard he has an offer of employment once he is released from custody.
Deputy Circuit Judge Clayton jailed Quinn for three years and four months, telling him the second burglary was targeted. He said: "Your victims were affected. This was a clear targeted offence with the movement of the fridge which could be explained because you knew there was a safe under it but you weren't able to get to it. Your blood was left at the scene and at that time you were still under investigation for attempted burglary and going equipped from April while together with Ellis."
Ellis narrowly avoided a prison sentence and was instead handed one of 13 months suspended for 18 months.
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