Burglary and theft causes misery. Time and time again judges remind offenders that often it is the invasion of a home causes the most concern for the victims of break-ins.
Equally traumatic for those on the receiving end is when they are targeted for their possessions in the street. Between January to July this year there was a steady stream of such offenders jailed at Bristol Crown Court.
Open justice and court reports aims to ensure public confidence and respect in democracy as well as deterring people from committing crimes and thereby the details of those crimes becoming public knowledge. Here are the burglars and thieves who we have reported on who have been jailed so far at the crown court in 2022. You can read more here about why we publish defendants' names, ages and addresses.
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Lee Sarkozi, two years and five months
A burglar was in for a shock when he was identified and threatened with having his fingers chopped off. And even though Lee Sarkozi returned the item - with compensation - police caught up with him and he has now been jailed.
Sarkozi spotted an Amazon delivery in Jocelyn Road, Horfield, and helped himself to a £14.99 desk fan left in the porch. But after the true owner distributed front door camera footage via social media of Sarkozi taking the fan he was recognised - and a relative of the victim tracked him down.
In a chilling text that followed the relative told Sarkozi: "So your [sic] the rat that likes stealing people's parcels eh? Seems your not very liked either.
"Took me 10 mins to get your name and address. Looking forward to taking a finger for every parcel you took today. See you soon."
Sarkozi, 43, formerly of Charfield Road in Southmead but now living in Kingswood, pleaded guilty to burglary in July last year. He appeared at Bristol Crown Court for sentence today. (July 26, 2022)
Judge Mark Horton jailed him for two years and five months, which included the activation of a previously suspended 24-week sentence.
Read the full story here
Brett Jewell, 10 months in youth custody
A teenager who admitted burglary was given a chance to turn his life around. But he blew it and was sent to youth custody.
Brett Jewell admitted breaking into one house and trying to break into another in January. The 19-year-old, of Bristol Foyer in Victoria Street, pleaded guilty to burglary and attempted burglary.
In March Judge James Patrick deferred sentence on him on the grounds he stay out of trouble and address cannabis use. But on June 8, 2022, the judge heard Jewell had committed more offences.
Judge Patrick handed Jewell 10 months' youth custody. He told him: "I tried very hard not to send you to prison. You did not keep your side of the bargain."
Read the full story here
Jamie Edney, 28 months
A burglar who entered a woman's home was so short the householder thought he was a child. But when she snatched off his hat it revealed 46-year-old Jamie Edney, who made a run for it with £80.
Police called to the scene took the hat as evidence. And the forensic lab discovered his DNA and he was arrested.
Edney, 46, of Austen Court in Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to burglary in March. Judge Keith Cutler jailed him for 28 months.
The judge told Edney: "You would have read the victim personal statement from (the complainant). She felt sick to her stomach and angry that someone thinks it OK to walk into her home and take things. She took your cap and credit to her - it was a very mean offence."
Read the full story here
Harvey Mitchell, 24 weeks
A teenager admitted stealing one motorbike and handling a stolen one. And he was sentenced to 24 weeks' custody.
Harvey Mitchell was said to have been with an unknown offender who stole a motorbike. Police later found Mitchell riding another stolen machine.
The 19-year-old, of Hawkins Crescent in Bradley Stoke, pleaded guilty to theft and handling stolen goods. He appeared for sentence at Bristol Crown Court on June 16, 2022.
Judge Jason Taylor QC jailed him for 24 weeks. He told Mitchell: "You have an appalling record for somebody so young, but you have the support of a loving family which you will need on your release."
Read the full story here
Lee and Scott McCarthy, four years and three months and five years
Cousins who robbed the same Bristol Co-op seven days apart were jailed.
Lee and Scott McCarthy were armed when they plundered cigarettes and tobacco from the shop in Wyatts View, St Annes, in March. On both occasions they made their escape in a stolen car bearing false number plates.
Lee McCarthy, 39, of Hill View Avenue in Clevedon and Scott McCarthy, 40, of Long Cross in Lawrence Weston, both pleaded guilty to two robberies. They appeared before Bristol Crown Court for sentence on May 12, 2022.
The recorder Mr James Bromige jailed Lee for four years and three months. He jailed Scott for five years, which included activation of eight months' prison which was previously suspended.
Read the full story here
Gabriel Maroty, two years and 10 months
"I want your bag, I want your coat or I'll stab you in the stomach."
These were the chilling words used by a Southmead man as he robbed a 15-year-old in the city centre of his coat, bag and cash. Police quickly identified Gabriel Maroty as the perpetrator.
Maroty, 20, of KIngswood Crescent, pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing a Rambo-style knife. He appeared at Bristol Crown Court for sentence on May 13, 2022.
The recorder Mr James Bromige handed him for two years and 10 months' custody.
Read the full story here
Wayne Swinford, 16-year extended sentence
A brave student resisted an attempt by her drug-addled neighbour to rob her at knifepoint. Wayne Swinford greeted the 20-year-old Bristol University student when she returned home to her flat in Brigstocke Road, St Pauls. After asking her for cigarette papers he followed her inside her flat, armed with a blade, and demanded: "Where's your purse, where's your money?"
The plucky complainant suggested they go to a cashpoint, hoping she could raise the alarm. And in the street, after he said she could get him £50, she backed away, told him to leave her alone and Swinford told her: "Let's just leave it then."
Swinford, 38, of Brigstocke Road, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery on March 27. He appeared for sentence at Bristol Crown Court on May 25, 2022.
Judge Julian Lambert handed him a 16-year extended sentence. That comprises of 12 years' custody and four years' extended licence.
Read the full story here
Anthony Rodriguez-Taylor, three years and seven months
A member of a gang of car thieves who stole an estimated £500,000 of high value vehicles around Bristol was jailed.
Anthony Rodriguez-Taylor was identified committing break-ins both by DNA and distinctive clothing. Bristol Crown Court heard in one raid a stolen Mini Cooper was used to smash into a garage and the gang also used blow torches and jemmies to force entry.
Rodriguez-Taylor, 22, of Sea Mills, pleaded guilty to three burglaries, an attempted burglary, theft, a non-dwelling burglary and aggravated vehicle taking. He asked for 27 similar offences to be considered.
Judge Mark Horton jailed him for three years and seven months.
Read the full story here
Jayne Dodd, three years and 10 months
In 2017 Jayne Dodd walked out of Bristol Crown Court after defrauding her elderly step-father of £63,000. As she left to start a suspended jail term she told the Bristol Post: "I’m glad it’s all over.”
What the sentencing judge didn't know then was, for the previous 13 years, she had stolen more than £500,000 from her brother. And when she returned to the same court on May 27, 2022, this time she didn't walk out.
Dodd, 61, of Wynter Close in Weston-super-Mare, pleaded guilty to theft from Stephen Cox between December 2004 and February 2017. The recorder Mr Andrew Langdon QC jailed her for three years and 10 months.
Read the full story here
Lorna Creary, 12 months
Some four years ago Lorna Creary was the subject of a BBC Radio Four documentary focusing on her support to sex workers. But in April she was before a court having admitted a spate of thefts in Bristol.
Creary, 57, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to three thefts of handbags and three thefts from shops. Judge Julian Lambert jailed her for 12 months.
He told Creary: "You are an incorrigible thief, which means you can't stop yourself. Handbag theft is serious, the victim impact is severe. It is often absolutely gut-wrenching."
Read the full story here
Tyrese Wright, three years and 10 months
A man who resorted to crime after being stabbed was jailed. Tyrese Wright suffered physical and mental health trauma after being stabbed in the leg in February last year.
Bristol Crown Court heard that, after becoming homeless, he used illicit drugs and committed a plethora of offences in Bristol. Wright, 21, whose address was given as Wainblade Court, Yate, pleaded guilty to five public order offences, robbery and attempted robbery - while he was serving a suspended prison sentence.
Judge Michael Longman jailed him for three years and 10 months. The judge told him: "You committed these offences on three separate occasions, but over a limited period of time. I've read about you and I've heard about the serious injury that you suffered and difficulties that followed."
Read the full story here
Joshua Whitwood, four years
A circus worker stabbed his boss and a colleague after being sacked. Joshua Whitwood used a penknife to attack the two men after behaving erratically, Bristol Crown Court heard.
Whitwood, 32, whose address was given as Cooper Row in Brundall, Norwich, pleaded guilty to theft and two offences of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He also admitted threatening to damage property.
The recorder Mr Ignatius Hughes QC jailed him for four years. He told Whitwood: "I take the view that probably drug-induced temporary psychosis did play a role." Whitwood was handed a 10-year restraining order banning him from contact with complainants.
Read the full story here
Marcus Ford, four years
Two elderly women had their handbags snatched within hours in Bristol. And it transpired Marcus Ford targeted both.
Ford snatched Kathryn Bennett's bag just after she left Hanham Baptist Church in Hanham High Street at noon in September 2019. Bristol Crown Court heard around four hours later he snatched Pamela Rowland's bag as she walked in Henleaze Road.
Ford, 44, of Thoresby Avenue in Thameside, pleaded guilty to two robberies. The court heard his "slipping off the radar" contributed to delay in the case.
The recorder Mr David Chidgey jailed him for four years. He told Ford: "The elderly need protection and they deserve protection. Both victims were selected on the basis of their vulnerability. They would be unlikely to fight back."
Read the full story here
Gareth Llewellyn, eight months
A Spice-addled man spotted pilfering from a parked car who threatened intervening residents with scissors has been jailed. Gareth Llewellyn was seen trying the door handles or cars in Hampton Road, Redland.
Bristol Crown Court was told when people approached him he produced scissors and said "Do you want some of this?" before scarpering. Police arrested him after he was able to use a credit card stolen from a car to buy tobacco.
Llewellyn, 42, of Logos House in Wade Street, pleaded guilty to threatening with a knife, theft from a vehicle and fraud by false representation on September 6 last year. He also admitted criminal damage of a police cell the next day.
Judge James Patrick jailed him for eight months.
Read the full story here
Lewis Mosley, 21 months
A "smashed out of his face" burglar who entered two Filton homes stole a child's jacket from one and a car from the other. Lewis Mosley appeared at Bristol Crown Court for sentence on February 8, 2022.
The 24-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary of a home in Kenmore Crescent in which he stole a Dryrobe garment on December 12 last year. He also admitted burglary of a home in Braemar Avenue, Bristol, on the same day in which he took car keys and then stole a Vauxhall Corsa.
The court was told he previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving without insurance or a proper licence and driving with excess alcohol. The recorder Mr Malcolm Gibney jailed him for 21 months.
He told Mosley: "You were drunk. You say you were smashed off your face and was unaware of your actions.
Read the full story here
David Archer, Alfie Kayan and Chad Walker, combined 24 years
Three men who raided a house with knives and a sock containing a pool ball have been jailed for a combined total of 24 years.
David Archer, 54, Alfie Kayan, 33, and Chad Walker, 31, all of Weston-super-Mare, forced their way into the hallway of a supported living accommodation and threatened two vulnerable residents in April last year. One of the three thugs bit one of the victims on the arm, and the wound later got infected, a court was told.
They eventually ran off when the residents pressed a panic button - but they were caught and convicted after DNA of all three was found on one of the knives they used. After a thorough search through CCTV of the area, Avon and Somerset Police officers located a second address in the town where the three men had gathered before the attack. Kayan and Archer's DNA was also found on one of the victim's clothing.
Read the full story here
Andrew Alford, 32 months
A Knowle woman who found burglars in her home managed to grab back her property from one of them. And police called in chased and caught him.
Bristol Crown Court heard the Langham Road resident returned to her house and found an intruder leaving via the kitchen. After she called police Andrew Alford emerged from upstairs with a camera case around his neck and a large bag.
The court heard the householder reclaimed her property from him before he tried to flee over a garden wall. Police then arrived, gave chase and arrested him.
Alford, 45, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary and two charges of criminal damage after the break-in on January 15. The court heard he had 31 previous convictions for 214 offences, including 37 dwelling burglaries.
The recorder Mr Tom Brown jailed him, in his absence, for 32 months. He told the court: "(The householder) says she has worked hard to buy items. She feels angry about about someone forcing entry into her home where she previously felt safe."
Read the full story here
Oussana Benabid and Rosa Kovacs, 32 weeks
Two shoplifters who stole £800 worth of Victoria's Secrets lingerie from a store in Cabot Circus were jailed.
Oussana Benabid and Rosa Kovacs, both of Pountney Drive in Easton, stole numerous items from the shop on January 18. Benabid, 36, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Monday, February 21, where he was jailed for 18 weeks for the theft of the lingerie and two other thefts in which he stole hundreds of pounds worth of clothes and fragrances from John Lewis.
Kovacs, 57, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on January 19 and was jailed for 14 weeks after being convicted of theft and handling stolen goods. She is also now the subject of a three year Criminal Behaviour Order which prevents her from entering Bristol city centre and any shop or business from which she is banned.
Read the full story here
Michael Harkin, 36 months
A "menace on the streets" who assaulted paramedics and burgled an NHS building was jailed. Michael Harkin committed a spate of offences between May and November last year.
Bristol Crown Court heard that in two instances of disorder he bared his buttocks. The court was told he had 54 convictions for 120 previous offences.
Harkin, 32, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two public order offences, two assaults on paramedics, criminal damage, possessing cannabis and two burglaries. Judge Julian Lambert jailed him for 36 months.
He told Harkin: "Much of your offending reflects a deep-seated addiction to drink...You are also a menace on the streets."
Read the full story here
Michael Whatley and Steven Fry, 106 months combined
Two men who burgled homes and a shop for high value bikes were jailed. Michael Whatley and Steven Fry were convicted of several break-ins in which cycles worth thousands of pounds were pilfered.
In one raid they used a stole van to plunder a bike shop of three high quality bikes worth £17,000, Bristol Crown Court heard. Whatley, 30, of no fixed address, was convicted after trial of burgling two homes and a bike shop but admitted handling stolen goods.
Fry, 31, of Lowlis Close in Henbury, admitted burgling two homes and a bike shop as well as handling stolen goods. Judge William Hart jailed Whatley for 66 months and Fry for 40 months.
He told them: "These offences have all the hallmarks of targeted, professional, dwelling and commercial burglaries. Read the full story here
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