Leeds burglars stole jewellery from 93-year-old woman

A judge has jailed two Leeds burglars who stole jewellery from the home of a 93-year-old woman.
Daniel Connors left and Thomas Cawley, right.Daniel Connors left and Thomas Cawley, right.
Daniel Connors left and Thomas Cawley, right.

Sentencing Thomas Cawley and Daniel Connors at Leeds Crown Court, Judge Tom Bayliss QC said both had bad records and had gone on a “pre-planned burglary outing”.

“Those who make a living out of burglary, as you two seem to do, must realise courts will act on them by sending them to prison.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cawley, 28 of Cardinal Avenue, Beeston was jailed for three years and seven months while Connors, 27 of Brander Road, Gipton, was sentenced to three years three months. Katy Rafter, prosecuting, said the elderly occupant of the house in Heckmondwike had gone into a care home.

On the afternoon of March 21 a window was prized open and jewellery including a crucifix on a gold chain, some rings and a pocket watch were later found to be missing.

A neighbour alerted police something was wrong and officers arrived and chased the burglars. The pocket watch was dropped and recovered.

Judge Bayliss said although they were caught and arrested they had “brazened” it out with Cawley only admitting the burglary on the day of his trial and Connors a few weeks earlier.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Holly Betke, representing Cawley, said when he was last released from prison he was expected to pay a drug debt from when he had previously been a drug addict. “He wanted to pay it back, unfortunately the only way he felt able to do so was this, so he is back in front of a court again for burglary.”

She said he had work available as a labourer on his release.

Richard Reed for Connors said he had expressed remorse and regret. “He is keen to serve the inevitable custodial sentence and get back to his family.”