Smash-and-grab B&Q burglar jailed
Published: 13 January 2017 - Jenny Wonnacott
A railway worker who carried out a smash-and-grab raid on B&Q Chippenham has been jailed for a year.
The offenders targetted B&Q's power tools in the smash-and-grab raid, stealing £4000 worth of stock
Swindon Crown Court heard how Steven Brewis, 31, travelled from his home in South Wales to the store, where he and an accomplice smashed a window and took 27 power drills worth £3,909. CCTV images were used to identify the pair, who were picked up on the M4 near Newport as they headed back home.
The raid was carried out at around 2.30am on May 31. Mr Brewis, of Cardiff, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary.
Judge Tim Mousley QC said, “In the early hours of May 31 last year you travelled from South Wales to B&Q in Chippenham, specifically for the purpose of committing burglary.
“The way you committed that burglary involved an unsophisticated way of gaining entry to the property.
“Once inside you deliberately only took power tools, and then the two of you, with the stolen goods, made your way back to South Wales.
“I am satisfied that there was a significant degree of planning, there was travel, there was you being recruited to provide transport.”
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Mr Brewis' accomplice, who failed to surrender to bail.