A HEARTLESS thief who stole the ashes of his victim’s dead father during a series of shocking burglaries has been locked up.
Judge Emma Peters labelled Carl Brown “the lowest of the low” for his callous crimes which left his victims heartbroken.
In total, Brown, 37, admitted carrying out 15 offences between September 2020 and November 2021 during his sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court today.
The first crimes saw the defendant undertake a number of overnight burglaries at houses in Butt Road, Colchester, while his victims slept upstairs.
One occupier woke up at 4am to see their front door open and discovered bank cards and other items had been taken, before noticing their card had been used at a nearby Co-op.
A child’s school bag was stolen from another property with items worth £285 inside, including ballet and tap dancing shoes.
The court heard how Brown was caught for these offences, of which he made-off from in a stolen Ford Fiesta, by DNA found on a cigarette discarded outside a house, as well as via Co-op CCTV.
It was overnight on November 18, 2021, when Brown stole ashes from a property in Kings Meadow Road, Colchester, as well as a bank card.
He would later use the card to make a series of fraudulent purchases worth £116.40 at Asda, in Turner Rise, and at a convenience store in Crouch Street, while using the victim’s now stolen Peugeot.
Other offences committed by Brown, of Clarendon Way, Colchester, include thefts from Wivenhoe’s Horse and Groom pub and The Fat Cat, Butt Road, Colchester.
Brown admitted five counts of burglary, five counts of fraud and two counts of taking a car without consent, as well as single counts of theft, aggravated vehicle taking and attempted burglary.
Judge Peters said: “Burglary is one of the most cruel and nasty offences which make people feel horribly unsettled in their own homes.
“When people lose loved ones some find a real emotional connection of keeping their ashes close to them, but in this case you stole some.
“That makes you the lowest of the low. I hope you find a moral compass.”
Brown was sentenced to four years and two months imprisonment, and banned from driving for one year following his release.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel