Burglar jailed for 100 break-ins

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7281944.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A burglar who broke into about 100 homes in a four-year period has been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

James Dean Meneely's crime spree, which netted him about £170,000, began in April 2003 and ended after a botched burglary in Carrickfergus last March.

Meneely, 39, from Rogan Manor in Newtownabbey, pleaded guilty to breaking into 46 residential properties and two business premises.

He asked that 55 further offences of burglary be taken into consideration.

Belfast Crown Court was told that Meneely would shatter windows of the properties he targeted using a blow torch.

Almost all of the break-ins were committed during the day when the occupants were out, although on three occasions they returned home during the burglary.

Meneely's last break-in was at Bradford Heights in Carrickfergus on 20 March. He fled the house after being disturbed by a neighbour.

However, he was caught by police in a nearby field and whilst in custody, confessed to carrying out a spate of burglaries over several years.

He even went out in a PSNI car, pointing out houses he had broken into to the officers accompanying him.

Antiques

Meneely also admitted burgling business premises on Belfast's Donegall Pass where he stole silver and antiques worth about £35,000.

A defence barrister said Meneely expressed remorse and concern for the victims of his crimes, and became involved to pay back money he owed to paramilitaries, borrowed to fund his gambling addition.

Judge Patrick Lynch QC said it was "fortunate for society" that he had been caught as he had left countless homeowners feeling "vulnerable and insecure."

As well as the four-and-a-half years in custody, Meneely will be placed on 18 months probation when he is released.