'˜Persistent' burglar jailed after raids on two Gainsborough homes

A burglar who admitted raids on two houses in Gainsborough has been jailed for three-and-a-half years at Lincoln Crown Court.
Lincoln Crown Court G120131-3Lincoln Crown Court G120131-3
Lincoln Crown Court G120131-3

Craig Farrow broke into a property in Heaton Street and stole £1,000 worth of X Box and Nintendo games.

Andrew Scott, prosecuting, said the new tenant was preparing to move into the house and was so distressed by the burglary he decided not to go ahead with the move.

The raid was discovered by the victim’s mother who noticed a broken window at the property and looked inside to see blood on the carpet.

Police were called and as a result of forensic tests the blood was identified as coming from Farrow.

Mr Scott said that Farrow went on to carry out a second burglary of a property in Morley Street, Gainsborough, while the occupants were at home.

The prosecutor said: “The occupier, his partner and their family were sitting in the front room when they heard a smashing noise.

“They went to investigate and saw a brick on the floor. Moments later an arm reached through the broken window and grabbed the victim’s wallet. The offender then managed to make good his escape.”

Blood-stained bank cards from the wallet were found discarded in a neighbouring street.

Mr Scott said that DNA testing showed that the blood was from Farrow.

Farrow was arrested later and admitted the offences.

He said he carried out the Heaton Street burglary because he was looking for somewhere to sleep for the night and said he committed the second raid because he needed cash to get back to Lancashire for a court appearance.

The court was told that Farrow appeared at Preston Crown Court three days after the Morley Street raid and was jailed for house burglary committed in the north-west.

Farrow, aged 38, of no fixed address, admitted burglary at Heaton Street between 24 and 27 November 2015. He also admitted burglary at Morley Street on 4 December.

Judge John Pini QC, passing sentence, described Farrow as a persistent burglar and jailed him for three-and -a-half years.

David Eager, in mitigation, urged that Farrow should be given credit for pleading guilty to the two offences at the earliest opportunity.

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