A dad-of-three was caught after DNA from blood left at the scene of a burglary matched his. He received a suspended sentence.
Ashley Russell, age 39, admitted to the break-in, classifying it as a burglary with intent to steal. He lived on Winthorpe Road in Grimsby. The house belonged to the local council and sat empty after the previous people moved out in May 2023. The house had three bedrooms.
Council workers started repairs on May 18 and locked the house before the weekend, securing it properly. Workers returned on May 22 to find a broken back window. The thieves took many items, including the sink, radiator, and boiler, with the heating system costing £4,210.
Cops found blood on a wall, and a DNA test matched Russell’s blood. He lived on the same street and police arrested him on June 9, 2023. Russell made up a story to the police, claiming his boss lived there before and he helped him move. He later dropped the story and admitted guilt before his trial.
The prosecutor, Mr. Bradford, noted elements of planning. Russell lived near the house, and the break-in caused serious damage inside. Russell had many past convictions, 37 in total, with sixteen related to theft. He had prior burglary sentences in 2000, 2001 and 2015. He served two years for arson in 2006 and has recent shoplifting convictions from December 2023.
His lawyer, Natalie Dean, said the house was empty and nobody lived there. Russell aimed to improve his life now. He had drug problems but sought help, with his recent drug test negative. He quit drugs and drinking, knowing they hurt him.
Russell has three kids aged eleven, seven, and two, cleans windows working for himself, and wants a stable job. He told employers about the case. Ms. Dean said he was upfront with them, and they said he could come back if he avoids prison.
The judge gave him a suspended sentence: 15 months. He will do 150 hours of unpaid work and join a program, requiring 15 days of rehabilitation. Judge Bury addressed him, saying this was his only chance. He must prove he changed, because prison awaits him otherwise, and breaking the rules means jail time.