A RIBBLE Valley teenager who walked from court after burgling his grandparents’ Cotswolds home has raided their house a second time.
Last August Sean Collings, 19, of Pendleton Road, Wiswell, was given a suspended sentence after he admitted breaking into the home of Harry and Ruth Robinson, and stealing £14,000 worth of valuables.
Despite pleas from his grandparents that he should be jailed, Collings walked from the court when the judge heard he had gone to live with his father in the Ribble Valley and found a job.
But seven months later Collings was been back before Gloucester Crown Court to admit he raided their home on March 4.
He pleaded guilty to burglary of the house in South Cerney, and theft of DVDs, jewellery and a Wii console and accessories.
Derek Ryder, prosecuting, told the court the offence made Collings a ‘three strike burglar’ liable to a three-year minimum sentence.
“He is, of course, in breach of a suspended sentence for burgling exactly the same property,” said Mr Ryder.
After last year’s case Mr Robinson said he was ‘very disappointed’ his grandson had not received immediate custody.
He said at that time: “I want to say ‘This is Sean Collings: Beware’. He’s not the Sean we thought we knew.”
Mrs Robinson, a teacher, said last year: “You don’t ever dream your grandson would do this.”
Among the items taken were Mr Robinson’s grandmother’s engagement ring and a ring wife Ruth had given to him on their engagement. Also stolen was a watch awarded to his father on his retirement. Mr Robinson’s coin collection was taken, including a 1998 sovereign his father gave him for his 50th birthday – the day of his death.
Judge William Hart adjourned the case until April 8.
When Collings was given the suspended sentence last summer Recorder Paul Garlick QC said he felt just able to avoid custody because Collings had moved to live with his ‘supportive father’.
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