A SECOND man who burgled a grieving young widow's home has been jailed for two years and 11 months.
Earlier this month Simon Davies, aged 47, of Portugal Street, Bolton, was jailed for 40 months after Bolton Crown Court heard how he and Mark Johnson had smashed their way into the woman's Lostock home after she went to visit relatives for the first time since her husband's death.
But Johnson, aged 49, of Duke Street, Bolton, was not sentenced at the same time as he was having to self-isolate due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He has now also appeared before Judge Graeme Smith at Bolton Crown Court and received a jail sentence
The court had heard how Nishat Akbar had visited her husband’s grave every day following his death, at a young age, just months before the burglary at their home on September 2.
But at the end of August the widow, who had young children, decided to visit relatives in Sheffield.
READ MORE: Burglars ransack home
While away the alarm was triggered, police found the electric gates to the property ajar and spotted Johnson hiding behind a car.
He was arrested and property which had been stolen from the house, was on him.
Officers then spotted Davies lying face down under a bush .
A trail of footprints was found inside the house leading from a patio door.
The electricity mains wires had been pulled out, six internal doors had been smashed and all the bedrooms including those used by Mrs Akbar's two children, had been ransacked.
Jewellery boxes were emptied and items worth £10,000, including a £5,100 Tag Heuer watch belonging to the late Mr Akbar had been taken.
Davies and Johnson both pleaded guilty to burglary.
The thieves were said to be remorseful, especially when they learnt about Mrs Akbar's bereavement.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel