A serial burglar was involved in a car accident when he and two accomplices got away with a valuable loot of Asian jewelry.
When the police caught up with Martin Faulkner, who was jailed for breaking into a kidney clinic in 2019, they found a stolen designer Gucci handbag and an Apple MacBook from another break-in at his home.
He had given these items to his daughter.
Read more about crime and penalties from LeicestershireLive here.
The 36-year-old admitted a break-in at Tatlow Road, Glenfield, on Friday June 18 when “premium” gold wedding jewelry, an engagement ring, cufflinks, a wallet, a bank card and other items were stolen.
Faulkner of Hollins Road, Braunstone, Leicester, also admitted handling a MacBook and a handbag after they were stolen by unknown people in Cranstone Crescent, Braunstone Frith.
He also pleaded guilty to two cannabis possession cases.
At the time of the offenses, Faulkner was licensed to a four-year prison sentence in 2019 for a group break-in at the Leicester Renal Dialysis Unit in Crest Drive, Hamilton.
Four vehicles used to transport patients for vital treatment were stolen along with office equipment – causing a total of £ 33,000 worth of damage.
Paul Prior, the prosecutor, told Leicester Crown Court that the defendant and two others who were involved in the daytime Tatlow Road break-in got away in a Faulkner Ford Focus that crashed and the occupants fled – and most of them left behind stolen valuables. They were seized by the police along with a small amount of cannabis.
Police went to the defendant’s home on July 1, where Faulkner claimed he sold the Ford Focus the same morning as the break-in – but his DNA was found on an activated airbag in the vehicle.
A small amount of cannabis was found in the house, along with the Gucci bag and MacBook he had given his daughter.
The kidney dialysis station in Leicester in Crest Rise, Hamilton
(Image: Google Maps)
Judging the conviction, Judge Philip Head said, “You have a pretty dire record of 37 previous offenses and were still in your driver’s license when you and two others broke in – although it is controversial who the driver was, it makes no difference how They were jointly responsible.
“Two of the group forced entry and caused 1,200 pounds of damage to the security system and a door.”
The couple living there were in dire straits and had to install a new alarm system.
The judge said the Asian wedding jewelry that was taken away had “significant sentimental value”.
The judge said that within a short time after another break-in, the defendant touched a stolen handbag and a MacBook that was “incredibly given to your child”.
He added, “You are putting your child at risk of being in possession of stolen property.”
The judge said he sympathized with the defendant’s mental health problems, but said that using cannabis “would not help”.
Matthew Hardyman said Faulkner was in a very desperate state prior to the hearing.
Faulkner told him: “I don’t know why I’m doing this, I can’t get by in prison.”
The lawyer said his client’s mental health had deteriorated and the defendant swore that this case marked the end of his crime.
Mr. Hardiman added: “He is ashamed that he has failed and let his family down.
“He accepts that the break-in was a joint venture, but says he didn’t get out of the car or go inside.
“Fortunately, the high-quality property was recovered.”
Faulkner was imprisoned for three years and nine months.
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