Man terrified after wallet stolen while he was sleeping

A man has been left living in fear after a thief broke into a Sunderland apartment block for older residents and stole his wallet during the night. Kenneth Roberts has been sentenced to 19 months in prison for the crimes, Newcastle Crown Court confirmed.

The 40-year-old, who has no permanent address, not only stole from a sleeping resident but also ransacked the office of the blocks manager in the early hours of 26 June 2024. Roberts admitted burglary, fraud, and contempt of court after directing abusive remarks at a female judge.

One resident awoke to find his wallet, containing bank cards and 90 in cash, missing, along with a jumper and a jar holding roughly 45 in coins. Shortly after, his bank card was used at a local petrol station, although another attempted purchase was declined.

The managers office had also been broken into, with a window removed and items scattered. A computer valued at 500 and a 25 bottle of alcohol were taken. Additionally, Roberts stole tea, coffee, and biscuits from the residents communal kitchen.

CCTV footage identified Roberts, who later told police he barely remembered the burglary because he had been under the influence of drugs. In a statement to the court, the victim expressed that he now felt "very unsafe" and feared that the burglar might return.

The manager commented that Roberts showed "no regard" for personal property or the fact that the victims were elderly. She warned that the break-in could have had serious consequences if any residents had confronted him.

Roberts criminal record includes 85 previous offences, including 14 burglaries. Judge Tim Gittins remarked that the burglary left victims with "a sense of vulnerability and a significant loss of security."

Roberts received an 18-month sentence for the Sunderland burglary, plus an additional month for contempt of court due to his abusive behavior during a previous hearing.

Author: Ava Mitchell