Callous burglars took military medals while owner celebrated Jubilee

Military service medals were snatched during a house burglary while a patriotic homeowner was out celebrating the Queen?s Diamond Jubilee.

Cambridge Magistrates? Court heard how a man living in a tent broke into the house and stole the precious items because he was struggling financially.

Father-of-one Tony Smith, of Main Street, Great Gidding, pleaded guilty to the burglary in Mount Pleasant, Spaldwick, when he appeared at Cambridge Magistrates? Court on Wednesday.

Paul Brown, prosecuting, told the court how the retired homeowner had gone out to local Jubilee celebrations on Monday between 3pm and 6.45pm when Smith used an ornamental dog to smash the rear door.

Three American service medals of ?immense sentimental value? were taken along with a cash box containing ?25, three silver tie pins, three pairs of cufflinks, a belt, rosary beads, assorted jewellery of an unknown value and a black-and-white bag.

Mr Brown added: ?A number of witnesses said they had seen a man and a woman in the driveway.

?Police found a tent nearby and found the black-and-white bag, which was recognisable from the burglary.?

The court heard Smith, 21, who was living in the tent with his fianc?e, led police to the rest of the haul.

In a statement read out in court, the victim said he was ?most distressed by the intrusion into his home? and highlighted the ?sentimental value? of the American service medals stolen.

Nick Barnes, mitigating, said: ?Mr Smith was not in a good place at the time.?

He added that Smith admitted the offences quickly and helped police to recover the items.

Magistrates committed the case for sentencing at Cambridge Crown Court and remanded Smith in custody.

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