Four men have been sentenced to prison for a callous burglary in which a home was ransacked for sentimental jewellery, leaving the victims distressed. The gang—Adam Beavan, Kieran Allton, Doulton Biddle, and Leon Biddle—were sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday, July 2.
Burglary details
On April 7, the group smashed a window and ransacked a property in Broadwas, stealing jewellery of sentimental value. Beavan, 32, of Selborne Road, Worcester, was the ringleader, but Allton, 27, of Perrins Way, Bevere; Doulton Biddle, 20, of Glebe Estate, Wilmcote, Stratford-upon-Avon; and Leon Biddle, also 20, of the same address, were all convicted of burglary with intent to steal.
Additional offences by Beavan
Beavan also committed separate violent offences. On February 2, he repeatedly punched a man and wielded a broken bottle outside the Co-op in Dines Green. He also picked up a large advertising sign and threw it through the store's door, nearly hitting a wheelchair user. In a third incident, he deliberately drove a car into a property on Montpellier Close in Worcester. Beavan was convicted of burglary, dangerous driving, driving without a licence, and affray, receiving a total sentence of 35 months.
Sentences for the gang
Allton was sentenced to 16 months in prison. Doulton Biddle received 15 months in a young offenders' institution and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187. Leon Biddle was sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders' institution, suspended for 12 months, and also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
Police reaction
Detective Sergeant Lawrence Smith of Reactive CID said: “We are pleased to get these sentences for this gang of burglars whose callous actions caused distress to their victims, damage to their home as well as the theft of sentimental items. Burglaries are an intrusive crime that can have long-lasting effects on victims and West Mercia Police take such offences very seriously. In Beavan’s case, his further driving and affray offences also caused much alarm and fear for his victims which was rightly reflected in his consecutive prison terms.”
