A MAN branded a burglar and a thief has been jailed after a court heard he targeted empty council offices in Wrexham in a bid to steal lead flashing.
Philip Vaughan Parry, 47, had been seen twice at the premises in Grosvenor Road.
He denied attempted theft of lead belonging to Wrexham Council and burglary with intent to steal. He was convicted.
Jailing him for 50 weeks yesterday, a judge said it was time the people of Wrexham were given a rest from him.
Parry, of Smithfield Road, Wrexham, had previous convictions for more than 90 offences.
Judge Rhys Rowlands told Mold Crown Court Parry had a pretty unenviable criminal history. “People in Wrexham need and deserve something of a rest from your offending.”
Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, said that the first incident occurred back in August, 2011. A witness working opposite the premises saw Parry on the roof.
He was by a bay window trying to cut away lead flashing but he was disturbed, jumped down and ran off.
A few months later, in November, he was seen at the premises again – by the same witness. This time he was trying to get inside the property and was hammering at the boards over the windows and trying to pull them off. He had a crowbar with him.
Parry also smashed a window before he was disturbed by the same witness.
Mr Roberts told the jury Parry was a burglar and a thief.
Andrew Green, defending, said his client denied being involved and claimed it was a case of mistaken identity.
Parry was convicted and the judge said the case had aggravating features.
He had gone equipped to steal, he had targeted the same premises twice and he had caused damage.
Parry, said Judge Rowlands, had a long history of offending – a total of 92 separate offences including 19 for violence, 16 for criminal damage and 26 for dishonesty.
“This cannot be said to be out of character,” the judge said.
It was something of a signature of his offending that he would target property belonging to the public.He had previously targeted hospital property.
He said Parry had hoped to steal lead which would have a scrap value but the offence had the potential to cause considerable water damage to the building.