### Couple Exchange Heartfelt Gestures via Prison Videolink Following Burglary Sentencing
In a courtroom moment that contrasted sharply with the serious matters at hand, two prolific offenders, Bobbie Kittle and Anthony Williams, exchanged heart-shaped hand signals over a prison-to-court videolink as they were sentenced for their involvement in a late-night burglary and subsequent police chase.
The pair, who appeared separately from their respective prisons before Swansea Crown Court, faced justice after breaking into a home and stealing a Citroen DS4. The stolen vehicle quickly became the focal point of a police pursuit that involved the deployment of spike strips and a police officer readying a Taser weapon, highlighting the chaotic nature of the attempted escape.
Between Kittle, 32, and Williams, 42, the court was reminded of their daunting criminal history: a staggering combined total of more than 270 previous convictions. The judge did not hold back in his condemnation, stressing that burglary inflicts more than just financial hardship—it robs victims of their sense of safety and comfort within their own homes, a sentiment echoed frequently in cases involving domestic break-ins.
Details of the crime emerged as prosecutor Emily Bennett recounted the night of 9 June, when the Citroen’s owner awoke in Swansea’s Sandfields district to discover his car keys had vanished and his vehicle had been spirited away. The swift intervention of the National Police Air Service played a pivotal role in the recovery operation. By late morning, a police helicopter had located the missing car in Rhymney, prompting a ground chase.
Efforts to apprehend the suspects initially involved using a stinger device, but Williams, who was driving, reversed away at alarming speed, narrowly avoiding a collision with pursuing police. The chase then took to Rhymney High Street, where another stinger forced the Citroen off the road and into a fence, bringing the dangerous episode to a halt.
When officers approached the immobilised vehicle, Williams was forcibly removed, as police observed him to be unsteady and with glazed eyes—suspicions arose that he was under the influence. Kittle, meanwhile, exited the car’s passenger side, loudly protesting to officers and proclaiming, “This is going to be on WalesOnline.”
The subsequent search of the car unearthed a large knife concealed behind the driver’s seat, adding to the seriousness of the charges. In a victim impact statement read aloud in court, the homeowner shared the enduring psychological toll the crime had inflicted. He now lives in heightened anxiety, plagued by flashbacks, persistently checking his locks, and facing daily inconvenience after losing his vehicle, resorting to rideshare services just to commute.
Both Kittle, from Geiriol Road, Townhill, and Williams, whose given address was the Mercure hotel in Swansea’s Enterprise Zone, admitted to burglary and aggravated vehicle taking. Williams alone faced further charges: dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, and driving without insurance.
During the hearing—a stark, modern tableau—both suspects used the opportunity to signal heart signs to each other through their videolink appearances. The symbolic gesture stood in sharp relief to the lengthy list of convictions read out in court. Williams’ criminal catalogue includes 46 convictions for 189 offences, ranging from theft and drug crimes to driving infringements; Kittle’s record shows 48 convictions totalling 84 offences.
Kittle’s representative, Jon Tarrant, painted a picture of a troubled past, describing her volatile upbringing, battles with substance misuse, and persistent influence of criminal associates, suggesting these challenges might be considered when sentencing. Williams’ defence, Cora Sorensen, acknowledged the dangers of his actions but was grateful no one was harmed.
Judge Paul Thomas KC, delivering his verdict, reiterated the profound impact of burglary on victims’ peace of mind. Factoring in sentence reductions for early guilty pleas, he handed down a prison term of two years for Kittle and 42 months for Williams. Both will spend up to half their sentences in custody, before transitioning to supervised release in the community.
This case, striking for its unusual courtroom displays of affection amidst a backdrop of troubled histories and criminal activity, serves as a sombre reminder of the far-reaching consequences of crime, not just for perpetrators but for the ordinary citizens whose lives are upended in the aftermath.