South Yorkshire TV thief claimed he 'found it in garden'

Sheffield Crown Court heard today, Tuesday, February 18, how James Thewliss, 37, of Worsbrough Bridge, Barnsley, struck at a woman’s home on Neville Avenue, Kendray, Barnsley, while she was out shopping and her son had been asleep in the property.

Amy Earnshaw, prosecuting, said: “She left home about 9am to go to the local shop and she left the front door shut but unlocked because her son and nephew were in the address upstairs.”

Ms Earnshaw added the complainant knows Thewliss and she waved to him as she saw him in the street

When the complainant returned a neighbour told her Thewliss had been seen carrying a TV from her home and had dropped it when he had been challenged, according to Ms Earnshaw.

The complainant tracked Thewliss down and he claimed he had found the TV in her garden.

But Ms Earnshaw, who highlighted the offence was Thewliss’s third burglary, said the contents of her handbag had been strewn around her living room and her clothes were found on the floor with lager spilled on them.

Thewliss, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the burglary which happened on August 8.

Gareth Henderson-Moore, defending, said Thewliss has overcome a drug addiction and alcohol problems and there has been a significant gap since his last offence.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC sentenced Thewliss to 15 months of custody with a five-year restraining order.