
Last Updated: May 30, 2025
A Cardiff man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison after trespassing into a house and stealing from the resident in the early hours of the morning.
Gareth Neale, aged 47, of Cathays, was sentenced on 29th May at Cardiff Crown Court after pleading guilty to burglary dwelling and theft.
The incident occurred on 17th January 2025 at 3:50am, when the victim called 999 from her bedroom reporting she could hear someone downstairs in her house.
Officers attended the address in Llandaff within minutes and entered through the back door. They observed the lights were on inside and found a black rucksack on the floor outside an open window.
Officers searched the house and Neale was located swiftly in the front porch area. Neale stated he had seen the open window and took the opportunity to enter. When searched, a number of items were found in Neale’s pockets including a purse containing bank cards and a £20 note, an earphones box, a small empty jewellery box, and a tweezer man kit. He was arrested and charged shortly after.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Jamie Ellis said: “This was an extremely upsetting event for the victim that disturbed her feeling of safety in her own home. I hope this sentence helps to bring her some closure on the incident.”