A serial burglar broke into the home of a renowned chef in Cardiff, leading to a dramatic confrontation. The incident unfolded in Pontcanna, where Lee Skeet, a well-known chef, was asleep upstairs while Shaun Powell, 48, unlawfully entered his home. Upon waking up, Skeet discovered that his front door was open and a significant amount of cash, between £200 and £300, had been stolen from his kitchen.
Acting swiftly, Skeet pursued the burglar to a neighbour’s garden and bravely confronted him. Despite Powell’s attempt to deceive Skeet by claiming residence in the neighbouring property, the chef remained vigilant until the police arrived. Powell, who has a history of 39 previous convictions, including burglaries, later admitted to the crime at a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court.
During the court proceedings, prosecutor Pamela Kaiga highlighted the emotional impact of the burglary on Skeet and his family. In a victim personal statement, Skeet expressed how the incident had been life-changing, particularly considering the potential danger posed to his young children had they been present during the break-in. He emphasised the lack of remorse displayed by Powell, stating, “This man entered my home where my children lived and showed no remorse when I caught him.”
In defence, barrister Kirsten Murphy shed light on Powell’s struggles with addiction, attributing it as a contributing factor to his criminal actions. Expressing remorse, Powell apologised to the court for his actions. Recorder Alyn Eynon-Evans subsequently sentenced Powell to 876 days in prison, with a provision to serve half the sentence in custody before being released on licence.
The sentencing serves as a reminder of the significant impact of burglary on victims and their families, underscoring the importance of robust legal interventions to deter such criminal behaviour. The resilience and proactive response demonstrated by Lee Skeet in confronting the burglar highlight the courage and determination of individuals in safeguarding their homes and communities against criminal activities.