Overview

• Jacques Woods, 25, admitted stealing two designer watches and a Cartier ring from a West Eaton Place home during lift maintenance in June 2021.
• None of the items, valued at £103,250, have been recovered and the homeowner received partial compensation through insurance.
• Prosecutors linked the theft to a Class A drug habit which Woods told the court he has since overcome and he represented himself at sentencing.
• Woods was handed a 12-month prison term suspended for 18 months and a community order requiring 200 hours of unpaid work for a later burglary.
• Judge Weekes described the offending as serious and criticised a “disgraceful” delay in investigation and sentencing that could undermine confidence in justice.