Valium burglar jailed after terrifying 4am Morriston break-in

A terrified Swansea couple woke at 4am to discover a stranger stumbling through their living room, clutching stolen Lego and chocolate bars.

Andrew Hancock, 53, had broken into the house on Glantawe Street in Morriston on December 11 last year, claiming he thought the property was “abandoned” as he slurred his words and staggered about. When confronted by the homeowner, he left – but not before taking Lego, a pack of chocolate bars, and a box of latex gloves. A stolen jacket was later found dumped outside.

Police caught up with Hancock on nearby Bath Road, where he was found carrying a screwdriver, pliers, a torch, and two sets of nail scissors.

The impact on the victims has been devastating. In a statement read to Swansea Crown Court, one of them described how the break-in had worsened his anxiety and PTSD, leaving him “jumping” at every noise. He now suffers flashbacks to finding Hancock in his living room and struggles to sleep. The couple want to move house, having lost their “safe space”.

Hancock’s criminal history is staggering – 73 previous convictions for 206 offences, including 76 thefts, three house burglaries, two non-dwelling burglaries, criminal damage, drug possession, and weapons offences.

Defence barrister Stuart John told the court his client had stayed out of trouble for most of 2025 – “no small thing for a man with as formidable an antecedent record as Mr Hancock” – before buying street Valium. He’d consumed a “considerable amount” that night and had “little or no recollection of what happened”. Hancock asked his barrister to express his remorse and said he wanted to make changes.

Judge Paul Thomas KC wasn’t having it. He said the true harm of burglary wasn’t the value of what was stolen, but the feelings of “violation” and “lack of security” left behind. He described Hancock as a “persistently dishonest man”, adding that “time alone will tell” whether his promises to change would materialise.

Hancock, of Chemical Road, Morriston, was jailed for three years after admitting burglary and possession of a bladed article. He’ll serve up to half behind bars before being released on licence.