Burglar jailed for raids on three Holbeach homes - including vicarage

A homeless man who burgled the home of a Lincolnshire vicar and stole her car was today (Tuesday) jailed for two years.

Joshua Lawrence-West, 23, of no fixed address, admitted burgling the Vicarage in Church Street, Holbeach, on June 4 along with two other burglaries in the town.

Lawrence- West also pleaded guilty to the theft of a car that belonged to the Rev Sherine Angus following the Church Street burglary.

He also admitted two counts of fraud by false representation.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Lawrence-West carried out the first burglary on June 4 when Rev Angus was woken by her barking dog but went back to bed without seeing anything suspicious.

David Eager, prosecuting, said her teenage daughter noticed a damaged window and that their rear gate was open when she woke the next morning.

Further checks showed damage to the family's television and a missing bank card and set of car keys.

Mr Eager said: "The owner's car was fitted with a locator and showed it was now in Whaplode. It was recovered by the police but had sustained £3,000 damage."

A letter in the name of Joshua Lawrence-West was also found on the owner's lawn.

The householder also received a phonecall from her bank telling her that her card had been declined for a £6.60 food transaction at the Co-op store in Holbeach.

A second man, Daniel Smith, 26, of Pheasant Street, Holbeach, also admitted taking part in a house burglary at Fleet Lodge, Holbeach, after being encouraged by Lawrence-West.

CCTV from the householder showed Lawrence-West was joined by Smith on the afternoon of 26 June.

When the home owner returned from work he discovered two bikes had been stolen along with other items including an SLR camera and a set of commemorative coins.

Entry had been gained through a damaged window.

The final burglary occurred on 1 July at The Lawns when the home owners noticed a man walking on their land.

Mr Eager said they returned home to find several items missing including a bank card and £500 in cash.

The card was later declined for a £69 transaction at the Factory Shop in Holbeach for a tracksuit.

Neil Sands, mitigating for Lawrence-West, said he had suffered a troubled upbringing but had reached the age of 22 without getting into serious trouble.

"It shows there is clearly hope for this young man who has shown genuine remorse," Mr Sands added.

Stephen Taylor, mitigating for Smith, said he had already spent three months in custody and urged the court to pass a sentence which would help him.

Passing sentence Judge James House KC said at least two of the burglaries took place at isolated locations on the outskirts of Holbeach and had left the owners feeling less safe.

Jailing him for two years, Judge House said he accepted Lawrence-West had grown up in unequal circumstances after being in care.

Judge House said Smith had played a lesser role and sentenced him to nine months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order Smith must also complete 50 rehabilitation activity requirement days and four months of electronic monitoring.