A burglar has been jailed after he stole a dead war hero’s top gallantry award.
Joseph Boscombe, 28, was part of a gang which broke into the home of Charles Reid, 42, and fled with a haul that included his grandfather’s Distinguished Flying Cross.
He was caught after a neighbour spotted him carrying a 42-inch television from the house in Chorlton and placing it into a BMW, which was later stopped by police. Manchester Crown Court heard the medal belonged to Mr Reid’s grandfather Kenneth Foster, who received it posthumously for bravery in the Royal Air Force.
Mr Reid said in a statement read out in court: “One of the most upsetting issues was my grandfather’s medal, which has thankfully been returned. I was devastated when I found it had been stolen.”
The burglars stole two televisions, a games console, computer and more than 80 DVDs in the raid.
Who else has been locked up in December? Sentences and photo gallery
The medal, one of the highest awards for gallantry, has been valued at up to £5,000.
It was found in a rucksack in a garden when police arrested Boscombe. Two accomplices escaped and have not been traced by police.
The court heard Mr Reid was hoping to save the medal for his nephew, a soldier who has been posted to Afghanistan.
Tim Greenald, prosecuting, said: “A picture of his grandfather was dropped at the time the medal was stolen and he believes the thief would know it had some personal connections.”
Boscombe, of Aston Avenue, Fallowfield, had earlier pleaded guilty to the burglary, which he carried out on the morning of November 22.
John Wolfson, defending, said Boscombe had admitted his crime on his first appearance at the magistrates court.
He said there was a ‘large degree of inevitability’ that he would receive a custodial sentence.
He said: “He is not as such a burglar, but a man who has had a long problem with drugs.”
He said the burglary was ‘unsophisticated’ as it was inevitable he would be spotted carrying a large TV from the house in broad daylight.
Boscombe was jailed for two years and five months. He has already served 21 days in custody.
Sentencing Boscombe, Judge Gilbart QC, the Honorary Recorder of Manchester, said: “This was a brazen, professional burglary carried out with others. It involved taking an item of considerable sentimental value to the owner, a Distinguished Flying Cross, which had been won by his grandfather. You know as well as I do that this can only be met by a custodial sentence.”
Who else has been locked up in December? Sentences and photo gallery
Comments
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SCUM SCUM SCUM!!!! This despicable scumbag should remain in prison until he names his accomplices.
this muppet doesnt look as though hes a full shilling!!!!!
lock him up for longer
Scary man.
2 years and 5 months = out in 12 months = pathetic
Judge Gilbart QC, said: “This was a brazen, professional burglary...".
Brazen - yes. Professional? - not on your nelly, Your Honour.
I'm sure decent people are pleased Mr Reid has his grandfather's gong back, and hope that his nephew (of whom he is rightly proud), in turn, takes care of it.
I suppose the sentence was about right (in today's climate), but should have involved Boscombe receiving treatment for his drug addiction. It can work for those who genuinely want help.
utter scum
John Wolfson defending said: “He is not as such a burglar, but a man who has had a long problem with drugs.”
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Errrr, CORRECTION John Wolfson.... He is a burglar as his victims will also confirm
Would he still not be a burglar if it was YOUR home that he broke into?
Legalise all drugs.
He wouldnt have had to go stealing for his next fix.im not condoning what hes done either.Glad the medals were retreived aswell.
He's 28, wow! Looks about 45. Another monster who will never amount to anything, throw away the key.
LOOKS OF A MONSTER
Hang it
Are we supposed to care if inadequates like him choose to inhabit filthy drug dens with urine soaked mattresses to participate in their hobby of taking drugs in order for them to talk to the faries or whatever taking drugs does for them ?
Well I couldn't give two hoots for the scum but judging by the number of times "taking drugs" is used as a defence ploy then we are and we should have the utmost pity on the poor souls.
If they take drugs as well as robbing us then justr double the sentence is the way I see it because both acts are illegal.
Yes legalise all drugs as long as the end user signs a NHS disclaimer stating for example.
"When you find my trembling, vomit, urine and scab infested body down some dark, wet back entry writhing on the ground amongst the filth and rubbish due to my participation in the use of drugs then please leave me alone to look after myself because I know what I'm doing and nobody forced me to take drugs"
We may also see a reduction in the crime rate and more hospital beds free for for the purpose they were installed for.
'John Wolfson, defending, said Boscombe had admitted his crime on his first appearance at the magistrates court.'
Caught in a Beamer with the TV so you're trying to say he did the decent thing by admitting his guilt?
Didn't take a lot of ingenuity to work that one out Mr Wolfson!
Complete and utter filth. The hero who won that medal was worth a thousand times more than this thieving lowlife.
Boscombe, you worthless scum bag.
It's a pity Uncle Ken Clarke would ideally just have him standing in the corner for his low-life deeds.
Send him to Iraq.The Vermin let him take a Walk there.