St Helens funeral director welcomes jailing of 'despicable' burglar

The break-in occurred during the early hours of Tuesday, September 12, last year at Garvey & Young Funeral Directors’ premises, on Peckers Hill Road, in Sutton.

Managing director Allan Stockley said the business has been left feeling shocked by the burglary, which took place while the team were dealing with a repatriation at the back of the building.

Mr Stockley told the Star after the break-in that they “felt violated that someone could do this.

Kermode broke in while staff were dealing with a repatriation at the back of the building (Image: .)

He said staff were “really shaken up” by the break-in with a worker who looks after the office left feeling “she really doesn't feel safe or comfortable doing so any more”.

Mr Stockley said: “We always go above and beyond for our families and to think that someone would just walk in whilst our team were dealing with a repatriation at the back of the building is unbelievable.”

READ > Gambling addict who stole £27k from rugby club avoids jail

Merseyside Police confirmed that Dean Kermode, formerly of Phoenix Brow, St Helens, was sentenced to prison for the burglary.

Kermode, 41, was given an 18-month sentence for the offence.

The burglary happened at Garvey & Young's Peckers Hill Road premises (Image: Google Street View)

Welcoming Kermode’s imprisonment, Mr Stockley said it was “good knowing that yet another thief is off the streets for a short while”.

Mr Stockley added: “He must possess the lowest of morals, and I really feel for the victims of burglary, its hard enough in today's climate but when someone breaks into your home or business, taking things that you work hard for, they are in my eyes totally despicable”.