Serial burglar carried out spate of 14 break

Benjamin Sullivan's victims included a 96-year-old man and a pharmacy, with items stolen ranging from First World War Medals, Viagra and a police issued laptop

A serial burglar targeted 14 properties in Cardiff with his victims including a 96-year-old man and a pharmacy. Among the items stolen from the victims were First World War medals, Viagra and a police issued laptop

Benjamin Sullivan, 30, carried out the offences across March and April last year in a spree of burglaries which blighted the lives of residents in a number of neighbourhoods in the Welsh capital. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday heard the defendant has a "long standing" issue with class A drugs.

The first burglary took place on March 7 when the defendant forced the lock of a shed in the rear garden of a property in Church Road, Old St Mellons. The victim was inside their house at the time of the theft, which saw Sullivan steal bikes, one of which was recovered a few streets away. The value of the missing bike was £600.

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Prosecutor Nik Strobl said the second theft took place between March 23 and 24 in Ina Road, Heath, when the defendant forced the front door of a house open while the owners were on holiday. He carried out an untidy search and stole jewellery and a spare car key, but his DNA was found on a crow bar left inside the property.

Between March 26 and 27, Sullivan broke into a Jaguar car parked outside the owner's house in Blackberry Way, Pontprennau. He stole a bag from the car containing a mobile phone and a Gwent Police issued laptop and radio. Some of the items were recovered, but the laptop remains missing. The thief was linked to the scene by DNA.

In the early hours of March 26, the defendant broke into another shed in The Farthings, in Pontprennau, and stole a specialist hybrid bike worth £200, tools worth £80 and a jigsaw worth £30. He made off with the items when the victim came into the garden, but he was linked to the scene by DNA.

On March 31, Sullivan broke into the home of a 96-year-old man in Hollybush Rise, Cyncoed, and made searches of various cupboards and rooms but did not taken anything. The victim was in the house at the time of the burglary and could hear noises. Mr Stobl said the victim has died since the incident.

In the early hours of April 1, the defendant attempted to break into an unoccupied house in St Augustine Road, Heath, which was being renovated. The door of the property was damaged, having kicked out of alignment, with the damage valued at £1,500. The defendant was caught on doorbell footage.

On April 6, Sullivan gained access to a house in Winnipeg Drive, Cyncoed, by smashing a front window, while the owner was away on holiday. He stole silverware, jewellery including diamond earrings valued at £2,000 and First World War Medals belonging to the victim's later husband's grandfather who served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers.

In a victim personal statement, the woman said: "The incident happened while I was away from home, it's the second time someone has broken into my address. I live at the address on my own, it's supposed to be my safe place. It took me several days after the incident to realised I had been broken into due to the shock of what happened. The following day my daughter came over to assist me clean up the mess that had been left. I was unable to go into my bedroom knowing someone had been in there touching my personal belongings. I was unable to sleep in my bedroom for a month. The incident has truly upset me and several items were stolen from my house that can never be replaced."

On April 9, the defendant broke into a property in Tarragon Way, Pontprennau. The owners discovered the burglary after coming home to smashed glass in the hallway and upstairs. One of the victims thought he heard a noise and armed himself with a golf club but realised no one was there. A bedroom had been completely ransacked and a large knife was left on the bed. Jewellery had been taken from the property and the defendant was linked to the scene by his DNA.

On April 11, the next victim was in her home in Harrison Drive, Trowbridge, when she heard a bang downstairs. When she went downstairs, she saw Sullivan holding a black house brick. She grabbed him and attempted to push him out of the house but he overpowered her, pushed her onto the stairs, stepped over her and walked into the bedroom. He stole items of jewellery, as well as rings and watches belonging to the victim's later husband.

On April 12, the defendant broke into Well Pharmacy in Caerphilly Road, Birchgrove, by smashing a window with a bat. He stole the contents of the cash register, a quantity of Viagra, a Yankee candle and sun cream. He was later identified by CCTV.

On April 13, Sullivan broke into a property in The Shires, Marshfield, and stole designer watches, gold rings, gold bracelets and chains, and earrings. He was linked to the scene by DNA found on another crow bar which had been left in a bedroom.

Between April 16 and 17, the defendant broke into a house in Brandreth Road, in Penylan, while the occupants were away, by smashing a window. He stole £500 in cash and various electronic items including a Nintendo Switch, Macbook Pros, a watch worth £500, a dish containing jewellery worth £500, a vacuum cleaner, a further watch, bracelet and cufflinks.

Between April 17 and 18, Sullivan broke into a house in The Rise, Llanishen, and stole £3,000 worth of building tools, a lampshade and shower equipment that was about to be installed. He was linked to the scene by DNA.

The final burglary took place on April 17 in Mill Place, Lisvane, when the defendant and another man took front door of its hinges. An untidy search was carried out and a number of items were taken including jewellery, ornaments, clothing, a coral necklace and matching earrings, and silverware.

Sullivan, now of HMP Parc, Bridgend, was arrested and interviewed but answered no comment. He later pleaded guilty to 12 counts of burglary, one count of attempted burglary, and one count of theft from a motor vehicle. The court heard he had 32 previous convictions, and is now serving a custodial sentence for unrelated burglaries.

In mitigation, Hashim Salmman said his client has two daughters, but his life has been hampered by a "long standing" addiction to class A and B drugs. He said the defendant will at some point have to "overcome" his issues or would continue to "destroy" his own life, as well as those of his victims and his children.

Recorder Benjamin Blakemore told Sullivan he "ought to be ashamed of himself". The judge sentenced the defendant to eight years imprisonment, who will serve two thirds of the custodial period before he is released on licence.

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