A MAN who “ransacked” a house in Denbigh and stole “irreplaceable” and “immensely sentimental” items from the widower who owned it has been spared jail.

Luke Blakemore-Jones, 30, of Overbury Road, Birmingham, was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year-and-a-half, at Mold Crown Court today (October 2).

He had previously admitted charges of burglary and theft.

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Prosecuting, Thomas McLoughlin told the court that, in late December 2022, police attended a property on Godre’r Garn, after noticing an Audi vehicle being driven suspiciously in the area.

Entry had been forced to the property, which had been “ransacked” while the owner was away at the time.

Among the items stolen were his late wife’s jewellery, his phone with the last text message she sent him, his passport and driving licence, and some designer items.

Blakemore-Jones’ fingerprints were found on French doors at the property, while some of the stolen items were found at another property.

In a statement, the owner said he now feels “uncomfortable” in his own home, and is “upset” at the thought of never being able to get some of the stolen items back.

Then, on December 28, 2022, Blakemore-Jones was captured on CCTV stealing five cardigans worth £65 from Morrisons in Denbigh, while two people distracted members of staff.

Defending Blakemore-Jones, who had been convicted for burglary offences twice before, Olivia Appleby said he was a man of good character until the age of 27.

His marriage broke down and he fell into drug addiction, she said, having previously been a “hard-working” man.

But Ms Appleby said he is “keen to engage” with the probation service, now has a stable addres and relationship, and “wants to turn his back on this kind of offending, and on his drug addiction”.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones commended North Wales Police’s “excellent investigation”, but criticised Blakemore-Jones’ “lack of victim empathy”.

She told him: “Not only has he lost irreplaceable, immensely sentimental items, but he’ll never get those back.

“It’s clear to me that the only reason you became involved in crime is that you became addicted to drugs, as a result of the breakdown of your marriage, and your subsequent homelessness.”

Blakemore-Jones was ordered to complete a 26-session “thinking skills” programme, 30 days’ rehabilitation activity, and a six-month drug rehabilitation activity requirement.

Judge Jones added to him: “This is not an easy option for you, but the aim of the order is to put you back in the position you were in before your life fell apart.

“Don’t succumb to temptation.”

Blakemore-Jones will also pay a £187 statutory surcharge.