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Search forTeenage mum burgled home of neighbour
Wednesday, December 03, 2008, 13:15
The mother-of-one, aged 18, burgled a house in Henry Street, Tunstall, between May 22 and July 8 this year.
Prosecutor Robert Price told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday the property was on the market and had been left secure.
The owner went to the house on July 8 and found the kitchen door was forced, causing £150 damage, and goods worth £200 were stolen.
The defendant's fingerprints were found at the point of entry.
Draycott, of King William Street, Tunstall, was arrested on July 12. She answered no comment to all questions put to her in her police interview and was bailed by the police.
On September 9, while on bail, Draycott was caught red-handed committing a second burglary at a house in her own street while the householders were on holiday.
Mr Price said: "The rear door was kicked off its hinges, causing £200 damage, and £200 had to be spent on boarding up costs.
"Electrical equipment worth more than £1,000 was stolen. Stolen property was in bags at the back of the house."
The defendant was again given bail, but failed to turn up at North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court on September 19.
A warrant was issued and she was arrested and up before the court on October 2.
She was again given bail and was committed to Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on October 7. She again failed to turn up at the crown court on November 26.
She handed herself in at Tunstall police station yesterday morning.
Draycott pleaded guilty to two burglaries and asked for another two to be taken into consideration – one in Henry Street and one in King William Street.
She also admitted failing to surrender.
Arif Hussain, defending, said the burglaries were committed under a degree of pressure from Draycott's partner.
"She got herself involved with the wrong crowd.
"In each of the burglaries someone else was involved.
"A substantial amount of the property has been recovered.
"My client wants to make a fresh start. She is relieved to be away from her partner. She can still turn the corner and intends to do so. She has come off drugs a few months ago."
Mr Hussain added Draycott failed to turn up at court because her partner would not let her leave the house.
Jailing Draycott for 10 months, Judge Mark Eades said: "You know you are responsible for your own actions. You can't simply hide behind someone else. You know committing house burglaries is wrong."
Draycott will serve up to half the term with the rest on licence.
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