Drug addict jailed for redundancy pay burglary (From Southend Standard)

Drug addict jailed for redundancy pay burglary

5:20pm Friday 15th May 2009

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A DRUG addict who ransacked a family home and stole the owner’s redundancy pay has been jailed for two years.

Jamie Sharp, 27, forced his way into a house in Candy Terrace, Prospect Close, Southend, by throwing a lump of concrete through a window before searching the property.

Sharp stole £800 in valuables, including £160 in cash, which was in an envelope marked with the owner’s name and stating it was his redundancy pay.

Lesli Sternberg, prosecuting, said the family were so distressed by the break-in, which took place on December 30 last year, they were now looking to move.

Sharp, who has previous convictions for burglary and supplying crack cocaine, struck again on January 2.

On this occasion, the defendant and an accomplice, who was never caught, were captured on CCTV wearing dark clothing as they broke into Waitrose, Fossetts Way, Southend, and stole £2,000 of cigarettes and tobacco.

During the raid, £2,000 damage was also caused.

Sharp was caught after his blood was recovered from both crime scenes.

At Basildon Crown Court Judge Michael Brook QC told Sharp while the value of the goods stolen was low, the actual effect of his actions was considerable.

Sharp, of Brecon Flats, Southend, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two counts of burglary.

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