Burglar jailed for Cathays break-in and theft

A paedophile who broke into a Cardiff home and stole a Cartier watch and jewellery has been jailed for 876 days.

Robert Devney, 53, from Newport, targeted a house on Maindy Road in the Cathays area whilst the female occupier was at work on Tuesday, September 16.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the defendant stole the watch, jewellery, a laptop and iPad, and also tried unsuccessfully to use the victim’s bank card.

Police arrested Devney after using facial recognition technology to study CCTV footage from the area. He pleaded guilty to burglary.

The court heard Devney has 28 previous convictions for 85 offences, including 30 for theft and similar offences. He was jailed for 10 years in 2004 for child rape, however that conviction was overturned on appeal and he was imprisoned for 30 months for having intercourse with a girl under the age of 16.

His barrister Paul Hewitt said his client had been homeless after being released from prison where he had endured “problems” because he was a sex offender.

Prosecutor Jac Brown said this offence meant Devney was to be sentenced as a third-strike burglar.

Judge Richard Kember told the defendant: “This offence is so serious that only a sentence of custody can be justified. The items you stole had a huge sentimental value for the occupier. You victim describes feeling bewildered, shocked and panicked and was afraid you would return. She felt a sense of intrusion and she struggles to sleep and is awoken by the slightest noise. The victim also had to take time off work and was worried about her child’s safety.”

The judge said Devney’s offending was aggravated by the fact he was on licence at the time.

He was given 20 per cent credit for his guilty plea and will serve half of his sentence in prison before being released. He must also pay a victim surcharge.