Burglar Seth Lee was jailed for 5 years and 5 months on Thursday, May 27, 2021, after telling a mother: “We know where your child goes to school.”
Lee, 21, and another man got into the flat in Oatfield Gardens, Leighton Buzzard at four o’clock in the afternoon.
They asked where the money was and Lee said: “Get a knife and she will talk,” Luton crown court heard.
Although no knife was seen, a child’s bedroom and the loft was searched. When the woman said there was CCTV in the building Lee and his accomplice left. He told her he knew where her son went to school.
Prosecutor Alex Wright said Lee and another man had also tried the front doors of properties in Great Denham in Bedford during the night. They got into a house in Great Portway and stole a Mini Cooper, which was later recovered.
In a victim personal statement the victim said she her family had had changed the locks on her doors and installed a Ring doorbell. She said the changes had put them £1500 out of pocket and their insurance premiums will go up.
On July 4, 2020, as a police officer was arresting Lee, who was on licence from a previous 40 month sentence in custody, he escaped. He was finally arrested on July 30 and had a steak knife with him.
Lee of Henley Road, Bedford appeared for sentence having been found guilty to burglary and conspiracy to burgle. He had pleaded guilty to escape, being at large and having a bladed article.
Defending, Sophie Murray said he was 20 at the time of the offences. He had first been before the courts when he was aged 11. He had poor attendance at school and had been dyslexia and special education needs.
She said he now accepts he was involved in the Great Denham burglary conspiracy but still did not admit the Leighton Buzzard offence. She said he accepted he faced a long sentence and was keen to learn a trade while in custody.
Recorder Jeremy Briar sentenced him to 5 years and 5 months. He said the victim of the Leighton Buzzard burglary was “left crying and in complete shock.” The Great Denham victim had been left feeling suspicious of everything, he said.
