Sheffield burglar caught after leaving tools behind at the break-in
and live on Freeview channel 276
Grant Furniss's DNA was discovered on a red glass safety hammer at a semi-detached house on Abbeydale Road, which he broke into sometime between November 29 and December 5, 2019.
The hammer was found along with a multi-tool and black gloves in the pocket of a blue Berghaus jacket which he abandoned in the kitchen.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"A large number of items were taken," prosecutor Ian West told Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday. "Suffice to say the value runs into the thousands."
In a statement, the victim of the burglary said: "My wife and I now feel nervous and anxious when we leave the property. We were left feeling physically shattered."
A week later, on December 12, Furniss burgled a detached home on Cherry Tree Road, Nether Edge, where he stole two £400 laptops and a £300 camera.
A blood spatter on an upstairs wall was matched to Furniss's DNA.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdMr West said Furniss had five convictions for 11 offences, but had been out of trouble since 2011.
Francis Edusei, mitigating, said: "Hitherto he has never been in trouble for burglary. He lost his employment and had no income. He was sofa surfing. He had no money to buy food."
The court heard he used cocaine "every now and then when he went to town" and is being treated for mental health problems.
Mr Edusei urged the judge to suspend any sentence, adding: "He wants to put this matter behind him and get back to his ordinary life without crime."
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFurniss, 28, of Burgoyne Road, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary on July 15, and was curfewed to his mother's home.
The court heard he ripped off his electronic tag after arguing with his mother, but didn’t leave the property.
Recorder David Gordon said the burglaries featured a "significant degree" of economic and sentimental loss to the victims, and a degree of ransacking, planning and targeting.
He said Furniss had shown "some, but not much remorse" and sentenced him to 21 months in prison.