12:33pm Monday 14th July 2008
By Paola Dellafiora
A CALLOUS burglar was jailed for four years for a string of distraction burglaries around Hertfordshire including one in Radlett.
Michael Wall, 18, of Greenford in London appeared for sentence at St Albans Crown Court having been convicted of burglaries in Radlett and Borehamwood while on bail for a similar crime.
St Albans Crown Court heard on Friday how a group of men had targeted 86-year-old Mary Gordon's home in Newberries Avenue, Radlett in August last year.
They told her they had lost a dog in her back garden before stealing her handbag containing £40.
Prosecutor David Chrimes said they had just conned their way into the home of a pensioner in Borehamwood before continuing their spree in Radlett.
The court was told that a 16-year-old girl had come forward as a witness and was able to identify Wall through the police VIPER identity parade system.
Hollie Cannon had spotted a group of men acting suspiciously while riding her horse in Borehamwood.
Their small red car had gone past her and reversed up the lane to a nearby bungalow.
Later that day Miss Cannon noticed the same car near the scene of a second burglary in Radlett.
They were later arrested in South Oxhey.
Recorder Vasanti Selvaratnum QC said: "I wish to reward Hollie Cannon who is 16 years old for her efforts in coming forward as a witness. Were it not for her evidence the burglar would not have been caught."
In pleas of mitigation, defence barrister Martin Rutherford said all the offences were carried out in a short period of time last summer saying Wall was "out of control."
Recorder Selveratnum said the burglaries were too serious for a non custodial sentence and ordered that he serve four years detention and training.
She told him: "The domestic burglaries are very serious matters. What you did caused very real distress and trauma. You left your victims feeling violated and insecure, it is particularly aggravating that you deliberately targeted the victims."
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