A MAN – who 'steals for a living' – and a mum-of-four have been jailed following a spate of break-ins across Warrington.

Dean Hirst, 29, of Hammond Street, St Helens, and Sonia Willcocks, 33, of Strawberry Close, Birchwood, were sentenced on Monday at Liverpool Crown Court following a number of burglaries.

Hirst was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison for 11 counts of burglary, while Willcocks was jailed for two years for five counts of burglary and one of attempted burglary, after admitting the crimes.

The court heard Hirst ransacked a number of properties before stealing jewellery, electrical goods and cash between June and August last year.

But Willcocks was 'effectively the driver and storer' of items and was 'not directly involved in the ransacking or selection of goods'.

A number of homes across the borough were targeted, including Myddleton Lane in Winwick, Mustard Lane in Croft, Wash Lane in Latchford and Montcliffe Close in Birchwood.

Owen Edwards, prosecuting, stated that although 'a sizeable number of items were recovered', the 'vast majority are outstanding'.

He said: "The Crown would say they targeted fairly affluent houses – there was some sophistication in the way they did this."

At some point between June 8 and June 11 last year both defendants played their part in burgling the Myddleton Lane property.

Mr Edwards said: "One room had been turned upside down, jewellery and a mountain bike were stolen.

"They (the residents) had to increase security as result of feeling insecure at their own home, houses were targeted because of the perceived high-value items in them.

"It was ransacking, high-sentimental items were stolen. There was just once incident when the house was occupied."

Between June 10 to 12, a brick was used to smash into the home of a retired woman, living on Mustard Lane, before a 40-inch TV was stolen.

In early July a couple returned home to find a burglary had been committed at their Montcliffe Close property.

Mr Edwards said: "All drawers in the living room were opened, there was entry by smashing the conservatory. There were £9,000 worth of items."

At some point between July 30 to August 5 a couple's home, on Holmes Court, Birchwood, was burgled while they were on holiday.

"A 55-inch TV, jewellery and keys were stolen to take a Mercedes and Audi – they were spotted at Asda in Birchwood, the two vehicles were recovered," added Mr Edwards.

Defence barrister Kenneth Grant said his client Hirst, who has 20 convictions for 35 offences, is 'sorry for what he has done'.

He added: "These are disgraceful offences committed, causing a lot of upset to people and they will cause a lot of heartache for people who will be deprived of sentimental items."

Simeon Evans, who was defending Willcocks, labelled his client as a 'vulnerable person'.

He added: "Her role was effectively being the driver and storer of important items but she never herself saw the ransacking.

"She was introduced to Mr Hirst by her partner.

"She has already been made to suffer from the local community. Her home has been attacked.

"Sonia Willcocks is a mother of four, with no previous convictions. The remorse is evident by her pleading guilty."

Recorder Michael Duck QC condemned both criminals before sending them to prison.

He said: "Between June and August 2016 you committed a campaign of domestic burglaries and one commercial burglary.

"The effect on households is devastating.

"Mr Hirst, you are someone who steals for a living, you have pleaded guilty to a total of 11 burglaries – on the last one, two vehicles were taken and jewellery."

Investigating officer detective constable Stacey Nolan said: “This was a lengthy and complex investigation into a large number of burglaries at homes across Warrington during the summer of 2016.

“A number of the victims in this case were elderly and targeted purely based on their vulnerability.

"I don’t believe the defendants realise the devastating impact that their offending has had, but I hope that the victims are able to receive some comfort by the sentences that have been handed to Hirst and Willcocks.


“Burglary is a despicable crime and we are committed to doing all that we can to bring offenders to justice.” 

In January last year, Hirst was jailed, along with another man, after being caught by police while stealing drugs and paraphernalia from a cannabis farm in Padgate in October 2015.