Sheffield burglar 'ransacked home and stole about £3500 worth of goods'

Sheffield Crown Court heard on May 12 how Anthony Vardy, aged 43, of Alport Place, Frecheville, Sheffield, raided the property on Backmoor Crescent, Norton, Sheffield, while the owners were away and it was being looked after by house-sitters.

Louise Gallagher, prosecuting, said the two house-sitters checked the property and realised something was wrong as they discovered car keys on the floor.

Ms Gallagher said: “All the lights had been turned on and they went around the house and looked at rooms that were previously locked and the house had been thoroughly searched and the word ‘ransacked’ is appropriate in this case.”

The property stolen is worth £3,500, according to Ms Gallagher, and a great deal of the stolen goods were electrical.

Ms Gallagher also said Vardy was linked to the burglary from DNA traces found in blood left at the scene of the crime.

The house-sitters stated they were so worried a burglar might return they chose not to go back into the bedrooms to sleep and they stayed in the communal areas of the property.

Ms Gallagher added that when officers searched Vardy’s home they also found goods that had been stolen by another offender from a home on Silkstone Road, Sheffield.

The court head these stolen items included a TV, a Sat Nav system, clothing and jewellery.

Vardy, who has previous convictions for burglary, pleaded guilty to the burglary at Backmoor Crescent from February 8 and he also admitted handling stolen goods which had been stolen by another offender from a home on Silkstone Road, Frecheville, Sheffield, from March 3.

Joy Merriam, defending, said Vardy, who has been remanded in custody for over two months, has expressed remorse and he has been involved in taking steps to address his offending behaviour.

Judge Graham Reeds QC sentenced Vardy to 15-months of custody suspended for two-years with a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

However, Judge Reeds warned Vardy if he commits any further offences the suspended prison sentence will be activated and he will be sent to prison.