Wrexham couple in court after police find stolen jewellery

A HUSBAND and wife have been sentenced after police caught them with stolen jewellery worth thousands of pounds.

David Roberts, 46, appeared alongside 57-year-old Tina Roberts at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The pair, both of Allington Drive in Wrexham, had previously admitted that on May 13 last year, they handled stolen goods; namely jewellery worth more than £3,300.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson told the court that an overnight burglary took place at a home in Percy Road in April, 2022.

Entry had been gained via a rear window and as well as a vehicle, a substantial amount of property had been stolen from the occupants, Diane and Stephen Davies.

Among the items taken were several items of jewellery.

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As a result of information received, police executed a search warrant at the Roberts' home a few weeks after the burglary.

During the search, a safe was entered and jewellery matching the description of some stolen in the burglary was located.

Tina Roberts was even wearing one of the items.

Altogether the following items were seized: a silver ingot, a chain with two silver crosses, silver and gold earrings, a Clogau bracelet, a watch, a gold ring, an engagement ring and a Pandora charm bracelet.

The total value came to some £3,305.

David Roberts gave no comment when he was interviewed, but his wife told the police the pair were on benefits and didn't work.

She claimed her partner had purchased the items as a gift for her and she hadn't thought to ask where he got them.

Asked how he could have afforded the items given his minimal income - one of which was worth £1,200 on its own - she said she believed he must have bought them cheaper but she didn't think they were stolen.

Tina Roberts had no previous convictions on her record, but her co-defendant had 22 convictions for 41 offences - nine of which were for theft and dishonesty matters.

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Probation officer Tracey Flavell told the court Tina Roberts, a former registered nurse, had conceded with hindsight that she should have questioned where the jewellery came from.

In respect of David Roberts, she added that he hadn't considered the items "weren't legitimately for sale."

He also confirmed he had issues with substances and had been using heroin on a near daily basis after "going downhill" in recent years.

Ceri Lewis, defending both, said: "There's no excuse for what's happened - Ms Roberts has lost her good character and she should have asked where he got [the jewellery].

"And Mr Roberts insists that purely the bracelet alone; he paid £80 for it.

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"It wasn't until he got home that he saw it was Clogau, and realised the value of what he got was substantially more than what he'd paid for.

"They both should have questioned it."

Both defendants received a 12 month community order, with Tina Roberts being handed a £50 fine and 15 rehabilitation activity days.

Her husband received a six month drug rehabilitation requirement and 10 rehabilitation days, as well as a £100 fine.

Both must pay £150 costs and £114 victim surcharge.

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