Preston couple had their wedding rings, jewellery and cars stolen by burglary thug while they were on the 'trip of a lifetime'

A burglar who stole a £67,000 haul of possessions - including two family cars -  from a Preston couple while they were on holiday has been jailed for six years and nine months.
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Richard Bennett, 29, and currently of HMP Hindley in Wigan, also admitted separate incidents including possessing a gun with intent to cause a Skelmersdale woman fear of violence last February, and for assaulting an amputee, who later suffered an epileptic fit, last July.

Preston's Sessions House Court heard the burglary happened on March 28, 2019

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Prosecuting, Richard Haworth said the owners left the two storey semi detached house on The Avenue, Ingol, locked and secure on March 20 to go on the trip.

Richard BennettRichard Bennett
Richard Bennett

He added: " When they returned home on April 6 they found a note from police to say the property had been burgled.

"He noticed their safe was in the middle of the front room floor."

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Jewellery and watches were taken from their bedroom and the house alarm had been ripped off the wall and the wires severed.

Sessions HouseSessions House
Sessions House
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Police linked Bennett and a co-defendant to the crime with a combination of ANPR and speed camera evidence, as well as their mobile phone activity but he gave a no comment interview.

The couple's property was never recovered.

Recorder Blakey imposed an immediate jail term.

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