An ‘appalling’ criminal has been sentenced to 54 months in prison for a series of thefts, including stealing 14 coats just days after taking £12,000 in cash and a car. Alexander Griffiths, aged 41, targeted a man’s house in Swansea, stealing thousands of pounds in cash, bank cards, and other personal items. Four days later, he and an accomplice stole coats worth over £3,500 from a shop. The stolen coats have not been recovered.
Griffiths, described as having an “appalling criminal record,” had previously pleaded guilty to burglary, theft, fraud, driving while disqualified, driving with no insurance, and robbery. The court heard how Griffiths took advantage of a vulnerable wheelchair user’s absence to break into the victim’s home and commit the thefts. The victim expressed the impact the incident had on his life, mentioning deteriorating health and loss of independence.
In his defence, Griffiths’ barrister cited personal struggles including the loss of his mother and battles with drug issues. Griffiths expressed remorse for his actions and aimed to rebuild his life post-release by seeking employment. Recorder Simon Hughes noted Griffiths’ extensive criminal history and handed him a 54-month prison sentence, with driving bans and a restraining order preventing contact with the victim for 10 years.
The sentencing came after Griffiths and his partner in crime stole coats from a store in Swansea, escalating his criminal activities just days after the initial thefts. The court case highlights the detrimental impact of repeated criminal behaviour on victims and reinforces the need for justice to be served in cases of theft and burglary.