Burglar caught with games, DVD player and golf clubs

Barry Plant was seen climbing over the perimeter gate at the Lighthouse project in Westgate, a charity for vulnerable adults including alcoholics and drug users.

Plant (32) entered the premises and members of staff saw him coming down the stairs with items in a black sack, Mr Brian Outhwaite, prosecuting.

When challenged, Sheffield Crown Court, said he was looking for someone called Dave who owed him money.

It was later found he had burgled a flat and stolen electrical goods, a games console, DVD player and a set of golf clubs.

Plant, of Henry Court in the town centre, told police he was looking for property stolen from him and had gone to recover it at the premises.

He found the golf clubs on the stairs and thought they were a trip hazard so was removing them when detained by staff.

Plant was jailed for 42 months in January, 2003 for burglary, another 42 months in May, 2005 for burglary and theft and sentenced to 15 months in August, 2008 for an attempted break-in.

He was recently jailed for four weeks by Rotherham magistrates for two shoplifting offences.

He admitted burglary at the Lighthouse Project on May 14.

Recorder Nicholas Campbell QC, jailing Plant for a total of 876 days, read a hand-written letter from Plant which he told the court “made sorry reading”.

He said: “I understand some of the difficulties he has experienced and the struggles he has undergone to keep himself out of trouble.”

The judge said he was giving him maximum credit for the contents of his “eloquent” letter but his hands were tied by the law because of Plant's previous convictions which made him a three-strike burglar.

“I’m persuaded you are trying to mend your ways and give you full discount,”