Serial burglar is jailed (From Redditch Advertiser)

Serial burglar is jailed

3:30pm Friday 14th September 2012 in Local

A SERIAL burglar who broke into a Redditch house and took a TV and £300 has been jailed.

Arden Holness also took the keys of a BMW parked in the drive but did not drive away the car, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Alex Warren said the householder was away for only a couple of hours on April 6 but returned to find a rear window smashed and the house searched.

Holness, aged 47, of Noel Road, Ladywood, Birmingham, who admitted the burglary, was jailed for three years. He will serve 18 months less the 147 days he has already been in custody.

Mr Warren said the damage was estimated at £1,000. A TV set was on the back lawn and £300 cash had been stolen from the house in Dewsbury Close.

Holness was said to have 27 convictions for 48 offences including 17 burglaries.

Thomas Kenning, defending, said Holness had been subdued and remorseful while in custody. He had the support of his family and intended to turn his life around.

Judge Robert Juckes QC said family support was essential if Holness was going to reform. Burglary had a terrible effect on victims who felt their security and privacy had been violated.