A 41-year-old serial burglar, Brian McCann, who has wrestled with drug addiction since age 11, recently broke into a family home in Bridgend, causing quite a stir. Along with an accomplice, McCann nabbed car keys and made off with a sleek Mercedes, later dumping it nearby. But the drama didn’t end there!
The plot thickened after they broke into another car, swiping an envelope with house keys inside. Imagine the shock of a family returning home in the wee hours to find their front door ajar and the Mercedes missing from the drive. The chaotic scenes continued with personal items strewn across the garden, leaving the spirits of the homeowners shattered.
Their son, devastated to find his school bag and beloved AirPods gone, provided a crucial lead. The police, using the tracking feature on the AirPods, traced them to an address on Coity Road. Despite the burglars’ attempts to cover their tracks, they were caught on CCTV, leading to McCann’s arrest at his home.
With 48 previous convictions for 92 offences under his belt, McCann pleaded guilty to burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, and theft from a motor vehicle. The victim shared a heart-rending statement detailing how the invasion of their home has left them feeling vulnerable and unsafe, even fearing for their son’s well-being.
In court, McCann’s barrister highlighted his struggles with mental health and lifelong battles with addiction. Although McCann had found sobriety in 2015, he relapsed after a personal tragedy.
Ultimately, Judge Simon Mills handed down a three-year prison sentence for McCann. The case serves as a grim reminder of the ripple effects of crime and addiction on families and communities.