Face of the shameless burglar who ‘raided church and stole car from vicar helping to arrange funeral’

Adam Goulding, aged 37, of Barnsley, was handed a three-and-a-half year custodial sentence for burglary and theft, according to a Sheffield Crown Court hearing on April 12.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, The Recorder of Sheffield, heard how Goulding visited St George’s Church, on York Street, Barnsley, on May 25, 2020, and asked to see the vicar about the church food bank.

However, prosecuting barrister Amy Earnshaw said the vicar asked Goulding – who was with another person – to wait outside because he was arranging a funeral for a bereaved family.

M Earnshaw said Goulding then broke into the vestry, damaged a door, stole a cash box and church keys as well as the vicar’s car keys and his vehicle.

Goulding, of HMP Doncaster, pleaded guilty to burglary and theft.

Judge Richardson said Goulding had taken the opportunity to “exploit” the victim, knowing he was “otherwise engaged” and he added that damaging the vestry door was a “particularly mean crime”.

Edward Moss, defending, said Goulding’s drug addiction was at the “root of all his offending” but he was now taking methadone.

Judge Richardson said Goulding had repaid the vicar’s “generosity, kindness and decency by exploiting the situation”.

He sentenced the defendant to three-and-a-half years of custody.