ELDERLY BURGLAR GETS SIX YEARS FOR TARGETED HOME INVASIONS
A known career criminal who disguised himself as a worker to target elderly individuals living alone has been sentenced to six years in prison.Kevin John Leigh pleaded guilty to five counts of burglary and requested that two additional charges be considered during his appearance at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.
Leigh, residing in Mandeg, Trelewis, committed burglaries at two homes in Pontypridd on May 6, another two on May 14 in the same area, and an additional break-in in Brecon on May 15.
Notably, he targeted two flats within the same building within mere days of each other.
Prosecutor David Pugh described Leigh, who is 46, as someone who would pose as a repairman to access the homes of elderly women, then request small denominations of money by asking for change for banknotes.
While the victims were distracted, he stole cash and valuables.
All victims were women aged between 60 and 89.
Among the items stolen was a vanity case containing £6,600 and important documents from an 86-year-old woman in Brecon.
Authorities confirmed that Leigh used some of the stolen money to settle drug debts and to purchase more drugs.
The court revealed that Leigh has appeared in court 28 times over 104 criminal offences, including at least 34 burglaries of homes.
His first known distraction burglary took place nearly three decades ago.
Defence lawyer Andrew Taylor explained that Leigh’s difficult upbringing included being in foster care from age ten for six years.
He described Leigh as extremely vulnerable, who relapsed into criminal behaviour and drug addiction after serving a five-and-a-half-year sentence for burglaries.
Taylor expressed regret, noting that Leigh felt remorse towards his victims and believed that with more support, he might have been able to avoid engaging in crime to support his addiction.
Judge John Curran, in passing sentence, emphasized that Leigh’s burglaries demonstrated planning and sophistication, citing an incident where Leigh arrived at one property wearing a hard hat and special clothing.
Leigh was subsequently sentenced to six years in prison.
