Bungling Sheffield burglar who targeted clothes shop, funeral service and vape store jailed

A bungling burglar who came away empty-handed after he struck at three businesses has been put behind bars.
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on April 23 how Mark Clifton, aged 36, of Ilkley Road, at Sheffield Lane Top, Sheffield, broke into a clothing shop and he also tried to raid a funeral service and a vape shop.

Beverley Wright, prosecuting, said an alarm went off during a burglary at Frocks Clothing, on Yew Lane, Sheffield, on March 7, and damage was caused after he entered the property.

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She added Clifton also tried to burgle two more businesses in his own neighbourhood on March 31 including Eric Eyre Funeral Service and the Mirage Vape Shop, both on Barnsley Road, at Sheffield Lane Top, Sheffield.

A bungling burglar has been jailed at Sheffield Crown Court after he targeted three businesses.A bungling burglar has been jailed at Sheffield Crown Court after he targeted three businesses.
A bungling burglar has been jailed at Sheffield Crown Court after he targeted three businesses.

Mrs Wright said: “Someone living nearby heard a bang at Eric Eyre Funeral Director’s, on Barnsley Road, and called police and officers saw the defendant walking away and he had a crowbar.”

She added Clifton was told to drop the crowbar and to stop but he was chased into a garden before he was captured.

The court heard a shutter mechanism at Mirage had been broken after he had tried to get inside.

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Clifton pleaded guilty to one burglary and two attempted burglaries and he admitted possessing cannabis which police found on him after the attempted burglary at the funeral service.

The defendant also pleaded guilty to driving offences from June, last year. These included driving while disqualified, exceeding a drug-drive limit and driving without insurance.

He also admitted breaching a suspended prison sentence which had previously been imposed for a burglary, a theft and a Bail Act offence.

Tim Gaubert, defending, said Clifton, who has an alcohol problem, committed the burglary and the attempted burglaries while he had been drinking but nothing was stolen.

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Mr Gaubert added: “The two attempts were amateurish and he did not gain entry frankly.”

Clifton has also been struggling with tight restrictions while he has been remanded in custody during the coronavirus crisis, according to Mr Gaubert.

Judge Roger Thomas QC sentenced Clifton to nine-months of custody. He also disqualified him from driving for three-years and four-months.