A burglar who went into a house and took a took a wedding dress, ornaments, coats and other items has been jailed for more than three years.

Devon Bentley, 21, of Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to three-years-and-17-days behind bars at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday 19 February) after he previously admitted burglary dwelling and theft and three counts of handling stolen goods.

He targeted an empty home near Windmill Hill, Rough Close, in February last year. Bentley forced his way in through the garage door and took an estimated £1,655 worth of items from inside, including a wedding dress, medication, ornaments, a model racing car, a suitcase and two coats.

We carried out forensic work at the scene and identified Bentley as a suspect. We searched his house and found a number of the stolen items inside.

He was arrested and questioned in March, leading to the charges being secured.

Bentley was also linked through DNA to an Audi A6 that was stolen from an address in Stone on 9 October. The same Audi was linked to the theft of a mountain bike from an address in Cellarhead on 11 October and a theft of a motocross bike from Werrington.

Sergeant Marc Proctor, from our City Proactive Team, said: “Bentley took items of real sentimental value for his own profit and has rightfully been brought to justice for his crimes.

“Burglary in any form can have a serious impact on victims and families. We don’t take this for granted and I hope this sentencing demonstrates the work we’re doing every day in Staffordshire to act robustly against those responsible and to deliver justice for those affected.”