A prolific thief who wrecked a house in a bid to steal valuable metal has been jailed for two years and five months.
Adrian Wane, 40, of Scotforth Road, Ribbleton, broke into a house which was undergoing renovation and trashed various rooms to tear out items such as copper pipes and a boiler.
In a catalogue of damage at the property, on Devonshire Road, Fulwood, the court heard how he tore kitchen cupboards from the wall to access copper pipes; ripped up carpets; ripped out a fireplace and fire surround; removed the boiler; stole bathroom taps; left blood smeared on kitchen units.
Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC, was shown photographs of the damage during Wane’s sentence hearing at Preston Crown Court.
Prosecuting, Francis McEntee said Wane had been caught after leaving blood smeared on the damaged kitchen units during the burglary on July 22.
He said: “At the time the house was unoccupied. The tenant had been evicted.
“The landlord was notified there had been damage at the address.
“Your Honour will see a photograph of a fireplace and fire surround that had been removed from the front room.
“The greatest damage was in the kitchen. A number of kitchen units had been demolished to get to copper piping.“
“He made no comment in interview.”
Mr McEntee revealed Wane has 73 previous offences on his record including commercial burglaries.
Defending, Lee Smith said: “This defendant had fallen upon hard times.”
Wane, who wore a navy Adidas tracksuit top, waved to four people in the public gallery as he was led down.
Judge Russell pointed out the burglaries on Wane’s record and said: “I accept the reason you committed this offence is because you had fallen on hard times but there are no exceptional circumstances that stop me imposing this sentence.”
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