**Cardiff Burglar Jailed After ‘Deeply Traumatic’ Break-In Leaves Victim ‘Utterly Shaken’**
A Cardiff mother and her young daughter endured a terrifying ordeal after a burglar broke into their home as they slept, leaving the family traumatised and fearful for their safety. The incident, which took place in Butetown on 5 May 2025, resulted in the loss of valuable possessions and, according to a moving victim statement, has cast a long shadow over their wellbeing.
The perpetrator, Thomas Pithers, 31, of North Luton Place, targeted the property in the dead of night, taking a £400 mountain bike, laptops, headphones, and a handbag containing a Louis Vuitton purse valued at £300. When the victims awoke the following morning, they discovered that both the patio and kitchen doors at the back of the house had been left wide open. The realisation of this invasion sparked immediate panic and distress.
Cardiff Crown Court heard that following the burglary, a bank card stolen from the address was used at a nearby shop. The transaction triggered an alert for the victim and, under police investigation, a review of CCTV footage soon identified Pithers making the fraudulent purchase. Additionally, authorities utilised a tracking device fitted to the stolen headphones, which pinpointed Pithers’ address in Adamsdown. When police attended his home, they found the missing mountain bike—further implicating him in the crime.
Once apprehended, Pithers pleaded guilty to burglary. It was revealed in court that he already had a substantial record, with 48 previous convictions, including similar offences. This latest transgression only added to a lengthy criminal history that has brought considerable distress to his victims and raised ongoing questions about the rehabilitation of repeat offenders.
In a personal statement presented during the sentencing hearing, the victim articulated the deep psychological impact of the intrusion. She recounted how the experience left her “deeply traumatised,” shattering any sense of security she previously felt in her own home. She described being “exposed, vulnerable, and utterly shaken”—words that underscore the profound and lasting emotional toll such crimes can inflict. Her statement also noted ongoing fears and difficulties, including sleep disturbances related to her epilepsy, an overwhelming dread upon leaving the house, and the burdens the crime has placed on her work and personal relationships.
The woman’s account went on to express concerns over what might have happened had she confronted the intruder during the night, revealing the anxiety and insecurity that now marks her daily life. “My emotional scars are deeper than the damage to my property,” she observed, encapsulating the often unseen yet significant consequences of burglary.
In mitigation, Pithers’ defence highlighted his chronic drug addiction and harrowing upbringing, noting that he had both witnessed and experienced severe violence as a child. The court was also told that Pithers suffers from depression and anxiety, and has a history of self-harm and suicide attempts. Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Lucy Crowther delivered a pointed rebuke of his actions.
Delivering her sentence, Judge Crowther emphasised the fundamental right of individuals to feel safe in their own homes—a right Pithers had flagrantly disregarded. “You had no regard or respect for them,” she asserted. “You just went in and took what you wanted in order to indulge yourself. These people worked hard to gain their home and their possessions, and you just took them.”
Ultimately, Pithers was handed a sentence of 30 months’ imprisonment. The case serves as a sobering reminder of how burglary can irreparably damage victims’ lives, going far beyond material loss to inflict lasting psychological trauma.
This latest conviction also raises broader societal questions about supporting those with a background of trauma and addiction, while ensuring the safety and peace of mind of law-abiding citizens. As discussions about crime and rehabilitation continue in Wales and across the UK, the voices and experiences of victims like those in this case remain crucial.