A DRUG addict who was given a job as a gardener betrayed his employer's trust by stealing from a customer in Laceby, a court heard.
Michael Pullan, 32, of Werneth Road, Grimsby, had been employed as a gardener for six months when he broke into the home of Claire Wakefield and her two children.
Jeremy Evans, prosecuting at Grimsby Crown Court, said: "The victim realised she had left the patio doors unlocked and meant to lock them before she left the property, but she forgot.
"When she returned, she realised the keys to the doors were missing and the doors were locked.
"She assumed her normal gardener had locked the doors for her."
The court heard how Ms Wakefield later discovered that an iPod with a distinctive pink case had gone missing.
When she went to use her laptop – which contained sentimental family photos – to trace the location of the iPod, she discovered that was missing too.
Mr Evans added: "She told her usual gardener what had happened and he told her to call the police, because he had seen the defendant with a laptop which he tried to hide under his jacket."
Ms Wakefield told police the items stolen "weren't worth the heartache it caused".
Pullan admitted committing dwelling burglary on May 21 and stealing goods valued at £610.
Nigel Sloane, mitigating, said Pullan "committed the offence on impulse".
He was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He must also complete 12 months of supervision and six months of drug rehabilitation, including regular drug tests.
Recorder Euan Duff told Pullan: "You have got a classic record of a drug addict and somebody with alcohol problems.
"It is a mean offence and a serious offence.
"It is mean because this man offered you employment as a gardener when many people wouldn't have.
"You repaid him by betraying his trust by seeing this door ajar and going in and taking a customer's property.
"While the monetary value was not high, the inconvenience and upset caused was significant."
Pullan must also pay a £100 victims' surcharge.Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
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