A teenager who burgled his grandmother’s house and stole her diamond wedding ring has been locked up for 10 months.
Stefan Stevens, 19, sold the ring, valued at £700, to a jewellery shop in Chatham. He also stole £6,000 in cash from his sister’s boyfriend, who was living with the grandmother, Elizabeth Elliott, at the time.
Maidstone Crown Court heard that Stevens has now been ostracised by Mrs Elliott and other family members.
Stevens, of Macklands Way. Rainham, admitted burglary during a hearing before Medway magistrates and was sent to the crown court for sentence.
Judge Charles Macdonald QC said the offence was a gross breach of trust and only a custodial sentence could be justified.
Prosecutor Martin Yale said Mrs Elliott lived in Truro Road, Gillingham, with Stevens’s sister and her boyfriend, Ashley Raynard.
Stevens was a regular visitor to her home. In June Mrs Elliott noticed a spare set of keys and her wedding ring were missing.
“She suspected the defendant but did not want to upset the family,” said Mr Yale. “The defendant stopped visiting but often called his grandmother to see what her plans were for the day.”
His deceit came to light four months later when Mr Raynard went to bank his business takings. The court was told he kept them in the house and by October had about £10,000 put aside. However, he discovered £6,000 was missing.”
“It was then that Mrs Elliott came forward and explained the keys and ring had also gone missing,” explained Mr Yale.
“Stevens was confronted by his mother and he admitted he had stolen the key and had been accessing the address to steal money.”
The court heard the money was spent on “general living”, his girlfriend and a car. He also spent it on taxis, takeaways, a fish tank containing fish and terrapins, an X-box and games, a fridge and a safe for his own room.
Stevens went to the police voluntarily and told them he originally got into the house by reaching through the letterbox. Once he had the spare keys he used them to return.
“He said he had got into debt with a mate and at first took £1,000 but then could not resist the temptation to take more,” said the prosecutor.
“Despite feeling that his family was watching him, he said he was unable to stop.”
The court also heard that Stevens did not know the ring had been given to his grandmother by his grandfather.
“He told police he did not know how he was going to repay his family,” added Mr Yale. “He asserted he would never steal from them again.”