Burglar Adam Garbett burgled a home – a day after befriending his victims. The 35-year-old targeted the house after meeting a couple the previous evening and arranging to carry out their MOT for them.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he stole phones and a wallet containing bank cards and identity documents. But one of the phones had a tracker which led police to the pub where Garbett was staying.
The defendant came clean after the phones were found in a microwave and he handed over the wallet. Now Garbett has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Prosecutor Emma Swindell said the owners of a cottage near Market Drayton went to the Four Alls Inn in the town at 4.45pm on November 15, 2023 and met the defendant who agreed to do an MOT test on their vehicle. They went to bed but when they woke they noticed a wallet, cash cards and a driving licence had been stolen as well as two phones including an iPhone. A tracker on the phone showed it was at the Four Alls Inn. In total Garbett stole items worth £1,100.
Miss Swindell said: “Police attended and spoke to the defendant. They searched his room and found two phones in a microwave. He also handed them the wallet.” The items were returned to the victims.
In a victim statement the householder said she no longer feels safe in her own home and she has been unable to return to work. The couple are terrified and have invested in extra security.
Garbett, of Grove Gardens, Market Drayton, pleaded guilty to burglary. Debbie Leadbeater, mitigating, said Garbett was using drugs and alcohol at the time. But his arrest was a wake-up call for him. He has abstained from cocaine and other drugs and has not drunk any alcohol over the festive period.
As part of the suspended sentence Garbett must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days and 150 hours unpaid work.
Recorder Robert Smith said: “You offered to arrange an MOT for their vehicle. They gave you their address. At 1.30am the next day you went to their address and stole phones and a wallet containing identity documents and cash.
“Police attended the pub where you were staying and found two phones in a microwave oven. You admitted it and handed over the wallet.
“In your interview you said you happened upon their house on a stroll down a country lane at 1.30am. That explanation was absolute nonsense. You targeted the property after being told the address earlier that day. A woman does not now feel safe in her own home.
“In mitigation, you have been out of trouble for 12 months, you have no previous convictions for burglary, you are lightly convicted in general and you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. The public are better served by you receiving help in the community rather than sending you straight to prison today.”
Garbett was ordered to pay £100 compensation to his victim.
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