Man who entered empty Newton property is jailed for burglary

Around midday on Sunday, February 4, a resident on Golborne Dale Road in Newton-le-Willows noticed the lock of his next door neighbour's front door was broken and on the floor.

The neighbour could also hear the banging of draws inside the property, which caused concern as the house had lain empty for around three years.

Marlene Jones, the elderly owner of the property, had been living with her daughter in recent years following a period of ill health, and her son-in-law  called the police after he was contacted and witnessed the suspect inside the house.

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Khamis was sentenced via video link at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: St Helens Star)
At Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, April 26, prosecutor Derek Jones explained how Adham Khamis, walked away towards the East Lancashire Road after a brief confrontation with the homeowner’s son-in-law.

Following the call to police, officers caught up with Khamis a short while later and recovered three “sentimental” items that had been stolen from the Golborne Dale Road property.

This included a wristwatch owned by the homeowner’s late husband, a Skoda key from an old family car, and a necklace that had been owned by the family for more than 25 years.

Upon his arrest, Khamis claimed that he had acted on impulse while walking home, and had entered the property as he found it unlocked and he needed to use the toilet.

He also denied taking the items which police had identified as belonging to Mrs Jones.

The incident took place on Golborne Dale Road in Newton-le-Willows (Image: Google Maps)
Although Mrs Jones had not been living in the Golborne Dale Road property in recent years, the court heard that she had owned the property for 55 years, and has been widowed for 25 years.

In a victim impact statement read out to the court, Mrs Jones said that her home was her sanctuary” which contained “many happy memories” from her life.

“These memories have now been tarnished by someone entering my home and taking things of a sentimental value”, Mrs Jones’ statement read.

It was further explained that, although she predominantly resides with her daughter, Mrs Jones is now “in fear of entering her own home in case someone is inside”.

Adham Khamis was sentenced to 12 months in prison (Image: Merseyside Police)
Defending Khamis, who is a 23-year-old asylum seeker from Egypt, David Birrell said that his client's actions were not planned, and were an act of impulse.

He said that Khamis’ “opportunistic” actions were down to his age and immaturity, and suggested that his sentencing should be reduced as the house was unoccupied and the items were recovered.

Mr Birrell also said that his client’s guilty plea should be taken into account, and that although he had one other conviction for possession of cannabis, he was an individual with a low risk of reoffending and harm.

Taking all things into consideration, Judge Driver KC explained to Khamis - who had to use a translator to hear his case - that appropriate punishment can only be achieved by a custodial sentence.

He said: “Your [Khamis'] actions have had a significant impact on an elderly resident who now fears entering her own home.

“Her son-in-law confronted you and felt anxious, although you did not threaten him.

“You are 23-years-old and have a very limited criminal record, but appropriate punishment can only be achieved by a custodial sentence.”

Taking Khamis’ guilty plea into account, the 23-year-old, of Heath Street in Golborne, was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

He will serve at least half of this time in prison, and will spend the rest of this time on licence.