A BURGLAR who has left a Flintshire family living in fear in their own home has been jailed.

Lee Williams (pictured), 37, of Bryn Place in Llay in Wrexham, was handed his punishment yesterday at Mold Crown Court after admitting to burgling an “isolated” property near Mold, along with two others, on August 21.

The prosecutor, Brian Treadwell, said the family home was ransacked when the couple who lived there were away on a short holiday. The homeowners were alerted to the break-in by neighbours.

He says that one of the nearby residents had heard noises from the property and, knowing the homeowners were away, alerted police at around 11.30pm thinking something was wrong.

A police helicopter was sent to the scene and three people made their escape from the address.

The court heard how police gave chase and Williams was later found crouched in the foetal position in a nearby field where he was arrested by ground officers.

During the chase, officers were able to recover a pillowcase containing items from the property that were stolen and the homeowners were able to identify the contents as their own.

The court was told that, upon returning home, the property had been the victim of ‘widespread damage’ throughout.

The burglars smashed open a shed with items – such as mountain bikes – were ‘readied for theft’ but it is thought police disturbed them before this was possible.

The group had used a crowbar from the same shed to break their way into the house.

The kitchen window was also damaged, the court heard, with crowbar marks as well as the property’s back entrance.

As well as stealing several items of jewellery, the burglars took off with a designer handbag, sunglasses, tools and more.

The victim reports say that items inside the house had – like the mountain bikes – been identified and positioned for the criminals to take them.

The court was told how some items – including a charm bracelet and a hard drive housing precious family pictures – were never recovered.

Mark Connor, the defence, addressed the court saying that Williams regrets his actions but says that his role in the crime was a minor one – acting as a ‘lookout’ for the other group members.

Judge Petts sentenced Williams to three years and four months behind bars.