A prolific burglar who targeted a Uttoxeter hair salon and a supermarket offered a victim £100 to lie to the police, a court has heard. Raymond Bould, 47, is now behind bars after admitting stealing hairdressers' equipment, radiators, and a DJ's disco set-up.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Bould broke into Uttoxeter's branch of Francesco's at 11.42pm on September 26 last year.
He swiped straighteners, curling tongs and various brushes together worth around £1,000. He then returned to steal from the same business in the early hours of October 10. The court was told he pinched various items and also caused damage this time.
Police viewed CCTV footage of the raid with an officer recognising the defendant and arresting him, the court was told.
Caroline Harris, prosecuting, said: "He stated that he was a handler not a burglar. Footwear marks later linked him to the burglary."
On January 21, Bould used a sledgehammer to smash his way into Asda's Uttoxeter branch where he stole three radiators worth £30 each. The court was told he had caused between £300 and £500 worth of damage during the break-in.
Bould was arrested on January 25 after police swooped on his house – where they also found disco equipment.
Officers later put out an appeal to trace the owner of the equipment. They got in touch after finding the padlock of a shed had been broken and the equipment was missing.
But the burglar, of Stone Road, went to visit the owner with an offer, the court heard.
The prosecutor said: "The defendant then visited the owner of the property and told him that he would give him £100 if he would go to the police station and say that he had given permission for the items to be taken."
Bould went on to admit four counts of burglary and one allegation of perverting the course of justice.
Anis Ali, mitigating, said: "He has committed crime to fund his drug habit. He has been reliant upon cannabis, amphetamine, LSD, heroin and crack cocaine for a number of years.
"It's not something he's proud of but he has begun engaging in the support he has received in custody – he is now clean. He is realistic enough to understand that he is facing an immediate custodial sentence. He wants to put all of this behind him so he can re-engage with the community."
Recorder Stephen Thomas sentenced Bould to 46 months behind bars. He said: "In my opinion these are very serious matters. These are people trying to lead honest and industrious lives.
"The burglaries caused emotional concern, not to mention financial damage to the business. You targeted Asda on January 21 and then you burgled substantial disco equipment that the owner treasured.
"To compound that, you approached the owner and tried to bribe them to make that matter go away and that is a very serious matter indeed. Only a custodial sentence can be justified."
