A FATHER-TO-BE has been spared jail after breaking into a house and stealing priceless rings and a Mercedes car.

Jason Murray broke into a four-storey townhouse on St Bernard’s Road in Oxford in the afternoon of December 11, 2019.

He ‘ransacked’ a bedroom, ‘rummaging’ through draws and boxes full of sentimental jewellery, which has never been recovered.

The homeowner only made the grim discovery he had been burgled when he got home from work and his daughter asked him for a lift.

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He couldn’t find the car keys so went to his bedroom which had been turned upside-down.

Watches, an X-box, games and an Amazon Echo Dot were all taken in the heist, too.

The family cleaner, who had been in the house in the afternoon, said that she had seen the cellar door open and heard noises upstairs but assumed it was one of the children in their room.

 

HIGH PRAISE: Medic who also lost jewellery says thief has valuable skills

 

Murray was caught when one of the bank cards stolen was connected to a betting account in his name.

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Days later, police officers also saw a Mercedes on ANPR cameras with fake number plates on.

When they found it, Murray’s DNA was on the steering wheel and his finger prints were on the fake plates as well.

The 29-year-old, of Chapel Street, Swindon, appeared in the dock of Oxford Crown Court yesterday charged with burglary, theft of a Mercedes and using an article for fraud on December 14.

Prosecuting, Robert Forest said his phone had been seized by investigators who used call data to pinpoint him to the house and the locations where the Mercedes had been driven ‘at speed’.

Mr Forest said Murray had been using the fake number plates to ‘deliberately conceal his movements’.

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He was arrested on July 25 and answered ‘no comment’ to all the questions police officers asked him.

Judge says there 'may be hope' in his future

 

In a statement read out to the court, the doctor who was burgled said  she ‘feels sorry for him’, adding: “He clearly is driven and is bold and those skills are needed in so many areas. I know he could do better. I hope he does.”

Murray has 20 convictions for 58 offences, including theft, burglary, affray, shoplifting, violence, dangerous driving, being in possession of drugs and actual bodily harm.

Defending Murray, Emma Handslip said he had changed and was ‘deeply ashamed’ of his actions.

At the time, he had got into debt using gambling sites and had a £200-a-day cocaine habit, which he has now stopped by himself.

He is also now living with his mother, has the opportunity to work for his step-father’s new removal company and is expecting a child with his partner.

Sentencing, Judge Daly said he was ‘impressed’ that he has not taken drugs since April.

He gave him a 12-month sentence but suspended it for 12 months.

In the next year he is ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and will also have an electric tag.

He said: “Many people will think you are rather fortunate.

“There may well be some hope in the future for you.”

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