Anthony Maughan (Image: South Wales Police)
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A prolific offender who used dozens of fake identities has been sentenced to more than two years in prison after raiding 10 businesses across south Wales in just 18 days.
The identity crisis
Swansea Crown Court heard that 43-year-old Anthony Maughan had an astonishing 42 different names and 26 separate dates of birth logged across criminal justice databases. The situation was so tangled that when Maughan was due to be sentenced earlier in April, Judge Huw Rees refused to proceed until the defendant’s true details had been confirmed. Maughan was ordered to return to court and testify on oath to establish his real date of birth – but not before prison transport had first taken him to Cardiff Crown Court and then Newport Crown Court before he finally arrived at Swansea.
The spree
Between January and February this year, Maughan targeted businesses in Cardiff, Bridgend, Neath, and Swansea. In the capital, he hit five premises – Giggling Squid restaurant, a Tesco Express, Castle Welsh Crafts, Total Asia restaurant, and Cote Brasserie. He also burgled a Costa Coffee in Bridgend, Kumar Stores in Neath, and three Swansea premises – an Aldi supermarket, Fresco Cafe, and Green Room restaurant near Swansea Arena.
His methods varied. In some cases he slipped into staff-only areas while businesses were still open and helped himself to workers’ belongings. On other occasions he forced his way in through rear doors or fire exits after closing time. He also stole items from the cab of a lorry while its driver was making a delivery in Cardiff city centre.
The stolen haul included bank cards, cash, jackets, trainers, keys, phones, meat, cheese, and bottles of whisky, vodka, and champagne. CCTV evidence linked him to all the offences.
Criminal history
Maughan’s record runs to 48 previous convictions covering 99 offences, 51 of which relate to theft and similar matters. Just months before the latest spree, in September last year, he had been sentenced to 12 weeks in prison for two commercial burglaries. The following month he was handed a 12-month conditional discharge for another business burglary with intent to steal.
Sentencing
Anthony Paul Maughan, formerly of Cae Garw caravan site in Pyle, Bridgend, but now of no fixed abode, had pleaded guilty to 10 counts of non-dwelling burglary and one count of theft.
Rhodri Chudleigh, representing Maughan, told the court his client had been engaging with drugs agencies since being remanded in custody in February. He said that although Maughan had been sofa surfing in recent times, it was hoped he could return to the family home at the Cae Garw site.
Judge Rees noted that shortly after being given a “chance” with a conditional discharge, Maughan had launched into a “catalogue” of identical offending. He referenced a pre-sentence report which detailed Maughan’s chaotic lifestyle, unstable housing, and substance misuse, concluding that his behaviour was “entrenched” and that structured intervention would be needed for any hope of rehabilitation.
The judge described the 42 aliases and 26 dates of birth as “concerning” and called Maughan a “thoroughly dishonest man,” telling him: “You are a prolific offender – to say otherwise would be an understatement.”
Maughan was sentenced to 27 months in prison, with credit for his guilty pleas. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence to complete the remainder in the community.
