"Persistent" serial burglar who struck in South Yorkshire put behind bars

Sheffield Crown Court heard on September 7 how Shane Kearford, aged 40, of no fixed abode, struck on the grounds of two properties on Ashwell Close, Shafton, in Barnsley, and also stole a Dash Cam, a satellite navigation system, water bottles and golf hats from a car in Barnsley.

Recorder Abdul Iqbal told Kearford: “You have 53 offences recorded against you in the past, many of which concern offences of dishonesty.

"There are nine offences of burglary in the way of an array of dishonesty.”

Recorder Iqbal added that Kearford went equipped with a wrench during one of his two latest burglaries and he was seen entering a shed on the grounds of a property on Ashwell Close and he was confronted and initially denied any wrong-doing.

Kearford also committed another non-dwelling house burglary at a property on the same road and he also stole items from a car, according to Recorder Iqbal.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the two burglaries from July 14 and admitted a theft from the car from the same date.

Richard Canning, defending, argued non-dwelling burglaries are less serious than house burglaries and he said Kearford needs help not punishment and the chances of him re-offending would be better if he could get support from the probation service.

However, Recorder Iqbal told Kearford he is a “persistent burglar” and sentenced him to two years of custody.