Burglar stole from friend's grandmother (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Burglar stole from friend's grandmother

A BURGLAR who stole cash from the home of a friend's grandmother could face jail when he is sentenced at Crown Court.

Michael Kiddell, 21, of Park North, pleaded guilty to three separate counts of burglary during September and the theft of a mobile phone on September 12.

He also admitted failing to surrender to bail on September 29.

On September 4, Kiddell broke into a house in Brookes Close.

He gained entry by sliding a cane through the letterbox and using it to undo the lock.

Once inside he stole a metal tin containing £112 in cash.

Kiddell then returned to the same property on September 8 and 12, and stole £120 and £84 in mixed coins.

He claimed he was sleeping on the streets with his 15-year-old girlfriend when he committed the burglaries.

Marion Langford, prosecuting, told magistrates that the pair spent the money on food and cigarettes.

"The aggravating factor is he was clearly targeting the same victim," she said. "He thought about it and went back again."

Defending, Tony Nowogrodski told the court Kiddell had never been in trouble before.

"His girlfriend has had problems and the one person she confides in is Mr Kiddell, and she told him that she wanted to leave home," he said. "But it has not escaped him that she is very young and very immature.

"No matter what he said she was set on leaving and he wanted to ensure she did not come to harm and so went with her."

He added that with the first amount of money the pair bought a tent.

"They soon realised that the money would not last long, and once it ran out he went back twice more," said Mr Nowogrodski.

Magistrates granted Kiddell conditional bail. The date for sentencing has not yet been set.

Stephanie Tye