Burglars should have to pay full price for crimes (From Gazette)

Burglars should have to pay full price for crimes

8:00pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Local News By Will Lodge

BURGLARY victims who had irreplaceable photos stolen have hit out at soft sentencing.

John and Debbie Hamilton were devastated when a teenager broke into their home in Woodside Close, Colchester.

Jade Brimfield, 18, of Hawthorn Avenue, Greenstead, stole a £600 laptop computer and a £250 camera.

The laptop was recovered, but the camera, which contained photos of the couple’s grandchildren dating back seven years, has never been found.

Brimfield admitted burglary and was sentenced to a 150-hour work order and 18 months’ supervision when she appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court.

She was also ordered to pay £80 compensation.

The victims want judges to get tougher on burglars after the break-in on September 1 last year.

Mr Hamilton, 50, said: “You should be made to pay for what you have done.

“It seems a bit out that you can violate someone’s home and walk away probably thinking: ‘Well I can do that again’.”

Faye Hamilton, 23, said the whole family had been left devastated by the break-in.

She said: “It is knowing that someone has been in here. It would not have mattered if nothing had been taken.

“We are most upset about the pictures because you just can’t replace them.

“If anyone finds them and has a heart, I would urge them to get in touch.

“Mum and dad have paid out more than the burglar has with days off work at the time and for fixing the door. To pursue it in the county court would cost us too much money.

“Mum has had sleepless nights and my little boy, Corbyn, has had to have a light on as he is worried about burglars.

“I just think it is sad people haven’t had the same upbringing, and don’t understand boundaries.

“I don’t expect David Cameron to get in touch or anything, but I feel I need to stand up for what I believe in.”

The court heard Brimfield was caught because she left a fingerprint at the scene.

She was told by the judge she had avoided jail by whisker.

A spokesman for the Sentencing Council, which produces guidelines on sentencing for the judiciary and aims to increase public understanding of sentencing, said it was for the court to decide on the appropriate sentence within the guideline ranges.

He said the court had to take into account the means of the offender before deciding the amount of compensation to be paid .

l MPs debated the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill yesterday.

The Bill, if passed, would make changes to sentencing provisions and would give courts an express duty – rather than the current power – to consider making compensation orders where victims have suffered harm or loss.

A Lords committee will discuss the Bill in more depth next week.