Prolific burglar Damien Wood helped police recover victim's laptop containing university work after deciding to "clean the slate" Damien Wood also owned up to a string of other offences aiding in the recovery of missing jewellery that had sentimental value for its owners when he decided to “clean the slate”A burglar helped police recover a Mirfield student’s laptop with her vital university work on it after expressing remorse when he was caught.
Damien Wood also owned up to a string of other offences aiding in the recovery of missing jewellery that had sentimental value for its owners when he decided to “clean the slate” Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday.
Wood, 37, of Pump Lane, Dewsbury Moor was jailed for a total of 40 months after admitting burglary at two schools in Bradford and Mirfield and at a house in Mirfield. He also asked for 36 other offences to be taken into consideration.
Stephanie Hancock prosecuting told the court around 2am on April 27 Wood forced open a fire door at St Joseph’s School in Bradford and stole a laptop.
He was arrested for that and was on bail when in May he smashed a window at the Hollybank Trust School in Far Common Road, Mirfield, and after forcing an internal door stole another laptop, boxes of sweets and a television.
Miss Hancock told the court Wood called a taxi to move his loot and the driver was suspicious about him so took a photo on his mobile phone.He reported this to the authorities which, along with Wood’s distinctive footwear at the scene, led to him being traced.
By then, however, he had burgled a house in Four Acres, Mirfield. The occupier’s daughter was only out of the property for about three hours and returned to find a window in the back kitchen door had been smashed and an untidy search made in most of the rooms.
Among the items stolen was her laptop with her university work on it, jewellery, 900 Euros and a wallet and bank cards.
Wood had left some blood on items at the property and a number of footwear marks which again helped in his arrest.
Miss Hancock said Wood helped in the recovery of the student’s laptop which was subsequently returned to her two weeks after the burglary.
Anastasis Tassou, representing Wood, said he had done extremely well after a previous release from prison with accommodation and a relationship. Having obtained qualifications while inside he also got a job as a drug and alcohol worker assisting “those in the position he had been in for so many years.”
But he said everything changed following the death of his young daughter.
“That knocked him back and he sought refuge in the comforting embrace of class A drugs as he has so many times over the years,” Mr Tassou added.
He said when Wood was caught for the recent offences he realised he needed to change his ways again. His remorse was genuine and he had done all he could to help the police clear up the crimes he had committed not only recently but in the past as well.
Sentencing Wood, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said as a result of his addiction to drugs he had a significant record of dishonesty and was liable for a minimum sentence under the three strike provisions.
“You have decided to make a clean breast of all you have done, to clear your slate and you have determined, as you did once before, to put drugs behind you. I hope you will be able to do that,” he added.
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yor ... or-7437864
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