A burglar brazenly pretended to be a policeman when challenged by one of his victims, a court has heard. Jordan Hennessy showed the female householder what appeared to be a “police badge” after being discovered in her kitchen early in the morning. The break-in was one of four carried out by Hennessy in just five days as part of what his barrister called “an eight-day spree to fund a desperate habit”.
During the burglaries, the 25-year-old defendant stole a haul of personal items from laptops containing university work to family jewellery and two cars. However, it would be the tracking technology on one of the vehicles which led to his arrest. Hennessy has 24 previous offences on his record, including inflicting grievous bodily harm. This offense saw him stabbing his stepfather with a bread knife during an argument on their doorstep.
The court heard that the defendant burgled four properties in the Roath area of Cardiff in five days in May this year, stealing a long list of items including a games console, cash, a passport, jewellery, phones, laptops, bank cards, and car keys. In one instance, he was disturbed by a female householder in the kitchen of the property at around 6am. When confronted, he claimed to be a police officer and showed her what she took to be a “police badge”.
Two of the victims of the burglaries were university students, and the laptops Hennessy stole contained important coursework. Using stolen car keys, he also stole two vehicles from outside the properties. The first vehicle stolen, a Vauxhall Zafira, was caught on CCTV being driven near Cardiff’s Huggard homeless center but was never recovered. The second, a Vauxhall Mokka, led to the defendant’s arrest after the owner provided tracking information to the police, allowing them to locate both the defendant and the vehicle on Christina Street in Butetown.
In impact statements read to the court, all the burglary victims expressed anxiety, worry, and the loss of security caused by the break-ins. One victim mentioned considering leaving Cardiff, while another described the stolen jewellery as being of great sentimental value, including family heirloom items intended for younger generations.
Jordan Hennessy, of no fixed abode, had previously pleaded guilty to various charges including burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, driving offenses, fraud, criminal damage, and theft from a motor vehicle. The court was told that the defendant had a troubled upbringing, experiencing multiple foster homes and placements between the ages of 11 and 18.
Despite Hennessy’s remorse and efforts towards rehabilitation, Judge Paul Hobson emphasized the serious nature of dwelling burglary and its impact on victims beyond monetary loss. Hennessy was sentenced to 32 months in prison and was also disqualified from driving for three years. The judge acknowledged the defendant’s relative youth and encouraged him to make positive changes in his life.
As of September 2024, most defendants must serve 40% of their sentences in custody before being released on license to complete the remainder in the community. Hennessy’s sentencing reflects the consequences of his criminal actions, as he faces the consequences of his crimes.