Burglar was frogmarched out of house by the owner (From Ledbury Reporter)

Burglar was frogmarched out of house by the owner

7:40am Monday 7th May 2012 in News

A NIGHT-time burglar was frogmarched out of a Malvern home after the occupants found him in the spare bedroom, a court was told.

Ricky Roberts claimed he was looking for a friend when he was discovered at 3.45am in the twobedroom semi in Court Road, said Stephen Davies, prosecuting.

He did not struggle when occupier David Grundy grabbed him and took him outside but it was later found that he had taken £20 and two mobile phones.

Roberts, aged 19, of St Andrew’s Road, Malvern, was sent to youth detention for two-and-a-half years after pleading guilty at Worcester Crown Court to burglary.

It was the third time he had been convicted of burglary and it qualified him for imprisonment under the three-strike rule, said Mr Davies.

Mr Grundy and his wife Sally were asleep on December 17 when they woke and realised someone was in the house.

Roberts was confronted by Mr Grundy and frogmarched out of the house.

Mrs Grundy discovered the cash missing from her purse and also noticed the phones had been taken.

When he was arrested, Roberts said he had been drinking heavily and had consumed at least 20 pints.

The court heard that Mr Grundy was furious by Roberts’ apparent lack of concern.

But defence counsel Paul Stanley said Roberts had since written a letter expressing his remorse.

Roberts had been working as a funfair assistant and hoped to resume this job when he was released.

Recorder Jason Macadam told Roberts that intoxication was no defence for the crime.

He ordered 131 days to be cut from the sentence because of the time spent in custody on remand.