Drug addict stole from sister

8:44am Tuesday 13th May 2008

A STOURPORT drug addict stole £25,000 worth of jewellery from his sister's Hartlebury home and was then caught red-handed by her when he went back to steal more goods.

Worcester Crown court heard how Marco Harvey burgled his sister's home on February 12 this year and then pawned the takings. Harvey, 35, admitted four counts of burglary.

Peter Tooke prosecuting told how Harvey, of Bigbury Lane, Stourport, had previously taken an ipod from his sister Anabella's home in October last year and pawned it for money at a Kidderminster pawn shop.

He said that the jewellery was pawned for £1,705 and that his sister and brother-in-law believed the burglary to have been committed by someone who knew them well, so they set up a trap.

He added: "They told very few people that they were going away on February 16 and they arranged to conceal their cars to make the house look unoccupied.

It was around midday and his sister was still at the address when she heard the cat flap moving and she heard a person walking about. She was terrified - too frightened to use the phone.

"Eventually she came face to face with her brother and challenged him and he admitted he had pawned her property." He said that the goods were later retrieved from the pawn shop.

In interview with the police Harvey said he had stolen to fund his drug abuse and he owed a substantial amount to a dealer.

Mr Tooke added that Harvey admitted another burglary in Kidderminster, which took place on March 3 on Offmore Road. Again he got through a cat flap and took purses. CCTV showed him disposing of documents in a nearby bin.

He added that Harvey had a long criminal record with more than 60 offences.

Adam Western defending said his client felt great remorse. He said: "His shame at having repaid his family's love and support is genuine."

He also handed a letter from his client's seriously ill mother and said that Harvey, who has been on remand was now for the first time taking serious steps to rid himself of drugs.

Harvey was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, and put on an 18-month supervision order and a drug rehabilitation programme.

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