Burglars stole wedding ring and 55 other items, jury told (From Redditch Advertiser)

Burglars stole wedding ring and 55 other items, jury told

6:10pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News

BURGLARS stole a £4,000 diamond wedding ring and 55 other items when they raided a property in the middle of the night, a jury heard.

The occupiers Andrea and Paul Bennett were woken by noise and light from a torch - but the crooks got away before they could be identified.

Police later arrested Craig Field and Ross Morgan who were living in a tent just 700 metres from the targeted property, Cottage Farm in Field Farm Lane, Ipsley, said Anthony Potter, prosecuting.

Morgan pleaded guilty to burglary last year, Worcester Crown Court was told.

On trial is 34-year-old Field, now of Salop Road, Redditch, who denies a similar charge.

Mr Potter revealed that Field had a record for entering other houses and commercial premises and for theft.

After being disturbed at about 4am on September 9 last year, Mrs Bennett noticed valuables had been stolen from the couple's bedroom.

The burglars' haul included an eternity ring owned by Mrs Bennett's mother, earrings, necklaces, watches, a torch, clothing, bank cards and £100 cash.

To their horror, the Bennetts then discovered that the burglars had got into their home twice on the same night.

A check by Mr Bennett with his bank showed a credit card had been used at 2.30am at a Studley cashpoint.

Mr Potter alleged Morgan and Field went into Redditch together on September 10 when Morgan sold two of the stolen rings at a jewellers for £120.

Inside the tent, which was erected in a wood, police found "a burglary kit" consisting of gloves, chisel, paper knife for prising locks and a screwdriver.

Also recovered from the tent were Mr Bennett's wallet and some other items taken from the raided property.

Field was arrested on September 13 and admitted living in the tent with Morgan but said police would find nothing to link him with the raid.

But Mr Potter said gloves seized from the tent with his DNA on matched a mark found on a sill where entry had been forced.

The trial continues.