South Yorkshire teenager who burgled a man's home is narrowly spared from jail

A teenage burglar who raided a man’s home with two others has narrowly been spared from prison.
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on September 3 how Damien Butler, aged 18, of Welland Crescent, Elsecar, Barnsley, raided a man’s unoccupied home on West Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, with two others in July, 2019.

Ian Goldsack, prosecuting, said: “Mr Butler was seen in the vicinity of the address wearing an Ellesse t-shirt and he returned with two others and by now he was wearing a hooded top with the hood up.”

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Mr Goldsack added £9,508 of property was stolen and £1,100 of damage was caused and the victim was so traumatised after his home had previously been burgled he moved out.

Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, has heard how a teenage burglar has been given a suspended prison sentence after he raided a man's home.Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, has heard how a teenage burglar has been given a suspended prison sentence after he raided a man's home.
Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, has heard how a teenage burglar has been given a suspended prison sentence after he raided a man's home.

The defendant told police he had taken two televisions and there was damage to two doors and a leather suite, according to Mr Goldsack, and a collection of vintage trainers had been stolen.

Butler pleaded guilty to the burglary but claimed the others involved were unknown to him.

Andrew Smith, defending, said Butler has shown remorse and kept out of trouble since the burglary.

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The complainant stated he hoped those responsible would be punished severely.

However, Recorder Darren Preston told Butler: “I am going to give you a chance because I want to turn you away from future crime rather than have you churned through the system.”

He sentenced Butler to 15-months of custody suspended for 12-months with a three-month curfew, a rehabilitation requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work but warned any failure to comply would see him back in court.