Ryan Watts (Image: Gwent Police)
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A man who forced his way into a house in Abertillery and hit a locked bedroom door with a metal bar has been jailed for three years and two months.
Ryan Watts, 28, of no fixed abode, Tredegar, admitted aggravated burglary with intent when he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court. He had no previous convictions.
The break-in
The court heard Watts targeted the home of Cameron Clarke on Monday, July 27. Prosecuting, Paul Hewitt set out Watts’ own account to police of how he got inside and went after Mr Clarke, who had shut himself away in a bedroom:
“Watts stated he smashed the living room downstairs window first and then proceeded to smash the bottom right corner of the front door, he then put his hand through the metal hole and opened the front door.
“The defendant got to the bedroom where Mr Clarke had locked himself in and began hitting the door with the pole.
“Watts could hear him on the phone to the police which made him feel angrier.”
What Watts told police
Watts told officers he had been overcome with anger. He claimed Mr Clarke had been threatening him for months, including a threat to burn down his father’s home. He also alleged that Mr Clarke had sent explicit images to his former partner.
Mr Hewitt told the court:
“The defendant was feeling very angry as a result of Mr Clarke making threats to him over an extensive period of time.
“These, he said, included the victim threatening to burn Watts’ father’s house.
“Watts stated that Mr Clarke had previously sent ‘d*** picks’ to his ex-partner.
“The defendant also said the complainant had made several threats to him over the last few months for no apparent reason.
“People in the community had told Watts this.
“He said he had lost count on how many times Mr Clarke has threatened him – threats have been made third party and via Facebook.”
Alcohol
According to the prosecution, drink played a part. Watts had drunk eight shots and around six cans of Desperados beer before the offence.
Mitigation and sentencing
The court was asked to take into account Watts’ guilty plea and his lack of any previous convictions.
He was jailed for three years and two months and must pay a victim surcharge after his release from prison.
