Man jailed for stealing PPE from care home and putting lives at risk

A burglar has been jailed for breaking into a care home during the coronavirus lockdown and stealing gloves, a face mask and bottles of hand sanitiser.

Julian Willock from Llanelli, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after being caught stealing PPE, food and care workers’ possessions at Caemaen care home in Llanelli in the early hours of 4 May.

Willock, aged 31, stole from a Toyota car parked near the care setting before breaking into the care home while residents slept.

Willock searched through staff lockers and stole food from the care home’s kitchen, as well as taking PPE.

The burglar was discovered by a staff member at around 6am, when they heard a noise coming from the dining room.

When challenged, Willock said he was visiting his grandmother Valerie but was informed there was no resident with that name living there and was told to leave.

‘Unsophisticated’

The burglar left the care home but only to go as far as the Coleshill centre next door - a daycare facility for vulnerable and disabled adults which he also broke into.

However, this time Willock’s entry tripped the building’s burglar alarm and police were soon on the scene.

A search of the daycare facility by police led to him being discovered hiding in a toilet.

James Hartson, defending Willock, said the burglary of the care home had been "very unsophisticated", with the defendant randomly picking up items rather than targeting the care home for PPE.

Judge says burglar put care home residents at risk

Sophie Hill, prosecuting said for hygiene reasons, the stolen food could not be returned to the care home. The care home is registered to care for 30 residents.

Judge Paul Thomas QC told Willock that breaking into the home of vulnerable, older people was a serious matter at any time and even more so during the coronavirus lockdown.

He said the defendant had no idea if he had the coronavirus when he forced his way into the care home, touched handles, objects, staff lockers and kitchen cupboards. His actions the judge said put residents at substantial risk.

Willock pleaded guilty to theft from a vehicle, a dwelling burglary and a non-dwelling burglary, when he appeared in the dock via videolink. The court heard he has 15 previous convictions for 24 offences.

Judge Thomas sentenced Willock to two years and six months.