Ben Watson, Cara Short and Sean Dempster (Image: South Wales Police)
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A woman and two men have each been sentenced to two years in prison after smashing their way into the flat of a pensioner while he was an in-patient in hospital.
Swansea Crown Court heard that among the trio, one had been freed from custody only hours earlier, while another had enough familiarity with the victim to direct the others to where he stored his cash.
The break-in
Prosecutor Craig Jones told the court that on May 27 this year, neighbours on Oxford Street in Swansea became aware of Cara Louise Short outside the victim’s property, shouting his name and hammering on the front door. The victim, who had a habit of letting people into his home, was not there at the time as he was in hospital.
Ben Watson and Sean Dempster then arrived at the scene. A witness reported overhearing a male voice ask Short whether the flat’s occupant had any money. She replied that he kept it “in the sofa”.
All three launched themselves at the front door, kicking and shoulder-charging it until it gave way. Once inside, they ransacked the property in what was described as an “untidy” search.
The aftermath
The group were spotted leaving the flat, with Short carrying a “large dark-coloured item”. Because the victim remains in hospital, it has not been possible to establish what was taken. All three were later identified from CCTV footage in the surrounding area.
The defendants
Short, 34, of Wood Close, Neath; Dempster, 38, of Oystermouth Road, Swansea; and Watson, 32, of Gwylfa Avenue, Townhill, Swansea, had each previously pleaded guilty to burglary.
Criminal records
Short’s previous offending includes theft, battery, public disorder, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. At the time of the burglary she was already subject to a suspended sentence.
Dempster has convictions for affray, false imprisonment, intentional suffocation, and criminal damage.
Watson’s record includes burglary, battery, and criminal damage. He was under a conditional discharge when the offence took place.
Mitigation
Giles Hayes, representing Watson, said his client had been released from prison on the day of the burglary. After spending time with his son, he had made his way to the city centre where he “fell into association with like-minded individuals” and consumed a significant quantity of alcohol before the offence took place. The court heard Watson’s partner is due to give birth next week and that he accepts his own actions mean he will not be there.
Megan Williams, acting for Short, pointed to a pre-sentence report outlining the “trauma and difficulties” in her client’s background. She said Short had begun misusing drugs at the age of 16, and that her life had “spiralled downwards” after losing the care of her son. Since being remanded into custody, Short had been receiving medication for her mental health.
Andrew Evans, for Dempster, highlighted the “adverse childhood experiences” his client had endured, and said it was perhaps not surprising that his adult life had been defined by drug misuse and repeated spells behind bars. He told the court Dempster was “not capable of being in society and not committing offences”, and that his client would welcome a return to custody as it meant a roof over his head and three meals a day.
Sentencing
Judge Paul Thomas KC told the defendants they had targeted the home of a “particularly vulnerable” individual during his time in hospital.
Each defendant received a two-year prison sentence, reflecting a one-third discount for their guilty pleas.
The judge activated 12 weeks of Short’s previously imposed suspended sentence to run concurrently with the new term. No separate penalty was imposed in respect of Watson’s breach of a conditional discharge.
All three will serve 40 per cent of their sentences in custody before being released on licence for the remainder.
