Sentencing of juvenile burglar in Swindon

A 16-year-old boy has been sentenced after pleading guilty to a high value burglary at a house on Marlborough Road in January this year. 

The teenager, from Swindon, received a 30-month Youth Rehabilitation Order (YRO), including a six month tagged curfew between 6pm and 8am at an address designated by social services.   He is also required to carry out 180 days activity with the Youth Offending Team.   He was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates yesterday (Tuesday 18 April 2017).  

The 16-year-old was an accomplice to the burglary with 18-year-old Billie Martin from Swindon who was found guilty of burglary at Swindon Crown Court early this month (April).  Martin has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 28 April 2017. 

Today's result follows 15 arrests which have been made by police in Swindon, since January, in connection with a number of burglaries in the Northern part of the town.  

Of those 15, three have been convicted, including the 16-year-old and Billie Martin, and another 16 year old boy who has been convicted and sentenced for two house burglaries and one attempted burglary.  He was a first time offender and received a 12 month YRO.

Also in a separate incident, two people have been arrested this morning (Wednesday 19 April 2017) on suspicion of a burglary at a house on May Close, Swindon over the weekend.   A 14-year-old boy from Swindon and a 20-year-old man from Swindon are currently in custody at Swindon's Gablecross. 

PC Leigh Vowles said: "The impact of these crimes carried out by these individuals goes way beyond the obvious; a burglary is not just a loss of property - it's a flagrant intrusion in to someone's life - their personal space, their home.

"This is why it's important to report these break-ins irrespective of how insignificant it might appear to be - information about one burglary could help us identify the offenders of larger ones or before they attempt something bigger.

"I would appeal to anyone who has information about any burglaries in our town to come forward and contact me on 101.

"If you wish to remain anonymous - please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111." 

We would also urge people to follow this advice to keep their properties safe:

1. Don’t leave your keys or ID documents within easy reach of doors, letterboxes or windows.

2. Close and lock all doors and windows. Once you have locked a door, remove the key and keep this in a safe place out of sight in case of a fire.

3. Lock garages & sheds so garden tools and ladders can’t be used to break into your home.

4. Keep side gates locked and wheelie bins stored behind them.

5. If you can, use timer switches for lights and possibly a radio so that it gives the illusion that someone’s at home.

6. Invest in a safe for valuables & sentimental items – Secure this safe to a solid surface.

7. Install a visible intruder alarm.

8. Install low level ‘dusk till dawn’ lighting to increase visibility and deter burglars.

9. Keep side & rear boundaries high to restrict access and front boundaries low to remove hiding place.

10. Photograph and mark valuables/sentimental items with your House name/number & postcode. Then register these items with serial numbers at: immobilise.com.