Three Men Sentenced To More Than 18 Years In Prison
Three men have today been sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to more than 18 years for a robbery and a burglary in Cardiff.
Tom Colwyn Price, 22, of Rumney, Cardiff, John Henry Janes, 25, of Trowbridge, Cardiff, and Simon Patrick Dooley, 27, from Almondsbury, Bristol, targeted two Asian households who had valuable amounts of gold jewellery.
They were arrested on February 22 after being disturbed in a house in Lascelles Drive, Pontprennau.
The female occupant returned home that lunchtime to be confronted and threatened by Price and Dooley both armed with screwdrivers, while Janes was waiting in a car outside.
When police arrived Price and Dooley tried to escape by smashing through glass patio doors.
But all three were arrested and the stolen jewellery was found.
Detective Inspector Dan Michel, from South Wales Police, said: “This was a terrifying experience for the woman who is still traumatised by what happened in her own home.
“The willingness of Price and Dooley to use violence stood out and something we had not encountered in previous burglary investigations.
“Tackling violent crime and burglary is a priority for South Wales Police and we were absolutely determined to take these three men off the streets of Cardiff. We hope today’s sentence will give the victim some peace of mind as she tries to move on from this ordeal.”
In relation to the incident at Lascelles Drive, Price and Dooley pleaded guilty to robbery while Janes admitted burglary. Price and Dooley also pleaded guilty to a burglary in Greenway Road, Rumney, which happened earlier the same day. Price was sentenced to a total of seven years, Dooley eight years three months and Janes was sentenced to three years in prison.
DI Michel added: “We don’t wish to alarm people but we feel it is important that the public is aware that burglars will sometimes visit a particular house or street days or weeks before a burglary to carry out research.
“Please report any suspicious callers to your house or person or vehicle in your street, by calling us 101 or 999 in an emergency. Your report will be taken seriously.”
Home owners are also advised to take extra security steps if they are away from home and also when they have more valuable jewellery at home than usual, perhaps due to a significant event such as a wedding or festival.
Those with expensive jewellery could consider making use of a safety box facility or installing a good quality safe which is secured to an exterior wall or to the floor.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email News@News.Wales
