Doncaster teenager stole £10K in burglary and led cops on 80mph chase

Christopher Stewart was dropped off with two other men by a Black Vauxhall Astra on Fossard Way, Scawthorpe, Doncaster, and climbed over back garden fences, before reaching a three-bedroom detached house, at 11.10am, on November 13.

They smashed a conservatory window and ripped off a door handle, prosecutor Christopher Styles told Sheffield Crown Court, on Thursday.

“Every single drawer was turned out, and unwanted goods were scattered through the property and back garden,” he said. “A television and a multimedia station were turned over and boot marks were found on tables and furniture.”

The gang stole high value goods including a £3,000 customised mountain bike, Gucci watches worth £1,000, designer clothing valued at £500, a quarter carat diamond ring and £1,000 of jewellery, as well as keys to an Audi car, and the family’s entire holiday fund of £600 cash.

The owner said she was “devastated” by the loss of an “irreplaceable” engraved silver bracelet, which was a birthday present from her son, and two silver charm bracelets.

When they were interrupted by a police officer, Stewart fled, jumping over fences and running down streets.

He approached a neighbour and claimed to have been assaulted, but he was refused refuge, Mr Styles said.

He dumped a distinctive jacket but was caught by officers. A CCTV storage unit was ripped out and later found in a local garden, but police were able to recover footage of Stewart wearing a cap and carrying a tool.

The court heard he has previous convictions including burglary, handling stolen goods, possessing an offensive weapon and multiple assaults.

While Stewart was on bail, he was spotted by police driving a BMW without insurance, on Foss Islands Road, in York, on January 28.

Stewart reached speeds of 80mph down residential streets where the speed-limit is 30 mph.

He travelled on the wrong side of the road, hit another car as he crossed a dual carriageway, but was blocked by oncoming vehicles on another one-way street.

He moved into the passenger seat in an attempt to avoid responsibility and denied the offence in magistrates’ court.

Stewart, 19, of Armthorpe Road, Wheatley Hills, Doncaster, pleaded guilty to burglary and dangerous driving.

Katy Rafter, mitigating, said Stewart was 18 at the time and susceptible to “peer pressure”.

She said his partner is due to give birth in June and he has the offer of work.

Stewart told Judge Jeremy Richardson QC there were three cases of Covid-19 on the wing above him at HMP Doncaster.

“You have got to stay in your pad every day and crack up, or come out and risk getting it,” he said.

The judge told him: “I can believe that prison at the moment is an extremely frightening place for one such as you.

“Your route out of criminality is education. There is time to change.”

He sentenced Stewart to two-and-a-half years in a Young Offenders’ Institution, and banned him from driving for 23 months.