Kevin Bowles (Image: South Wales Police)
Last Updated: 3 minutes ago
A 55-year-old who raided a vulnerable woman’s jewellery box while she lay in a hospital bed has been sentenced to 22 months in prison.
Sentencing
Kevin Bowles, of Chestnut Avenue, Gorseinon, appeared at Swansea Crown Court having already admitted burglary, theft, and a separate charge of sharing intimate photographs unconnected to the theft offences.
Judge Catherine Richards told Bowles that given his presentation, only immediate custody was appropriate. He received 20 months for the dishonesty offences and two months for the photograph charge, to run consecutively. He will serve up to 40% of the sentence behind bars before being released on licence to complete the remainder in the community.
A betrayal of trust
The court heard that Bowles had known the complainant since he was a boy, and she regarded herself as a friend of his family. Prosecutor Georgia Donohue explained that at some point in 2025, Bowles began visiting the woman at her Gorseinon home on a daily basis, acting as an unofficial carer by helping with household tasks.
When the victim was admitted to hospital in August last year for what turned out to be a stay of around two months, Bowles took on additional responsibilities – looking after her dog, collecting her post, and bringing her changes of clothes during visits.
What was taken
It later emerged that during the woman’s time in hospital, Bowles had helped himself to 16 rings from a jewellery box in her bedroom. Among them was her wedding ring. He also took personal documents including her marriage certificate and her husband’s death certificate, and transferred £1,000 from her bank account into his own.
The victim’s words
In an impact statement read to the court, the woman said the stolen jewellery held great sentimental value. She told the court she was still coming to terms with what Bowles had done, and that she no longer feels safe in the home where she has lived for 20 years.
Defence
Ieuan Rees, representing Bowles, said his client accepted the theft had been a “particularly mean offence” and wished to apologise to his victim. He added that upon his release, Bowles intends to relocate to the Penlan area of Swansea to be closer to family and to “break connections with his previous life” in Gorseinon.
The court heard Bowles has 12 previous convictions for 19 offences, including theft, burglary, and harassment.
