Burglar jailed for breaking into family home when occupants were asleep

A burglar who broke into a family home while they were asleep in bed has been jailed.

The victim, a single mum, woke up to find Perry Dean Thomas in her bedroom.

He fled with a number of items including electronic devices stolen from the room where her children were sleeping.

Thomas was arrested within 20 minutes of the burglary in Roath, Cardiff, being reported at 7.33am on December 21, 2022.

He was charged and later pleaded guilty.

Detective Constable Dafydd Beck said: “The circumstances of this burglary have understandably caused deep emotional upset to the victim and her young family and has made them feel unsafe in their own home.

“Burglary does not only involve the loss of personal property but also causes significant emotional distress.

“It is for this reason that we do everything possible to bring offenders to justice.

“We hope that the outcome of our investigation will bring some comfort to this family and reassure the wider community of our commitment to investigating burglaries.”

Thomas, 45, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, June 9 to 2.5 years in prison.