Thief linked to break-in by footprint left at store

A MAN was charged with burgling a Swansea pharmacy after scientists discovered that a mark left on the floor had been caused by one of his shoes.

Matthew Ace was among three people who smashed their way into Lloyds Pharmacy in Sway Road, Morriston, one night last September, a judge was told.

Stolen were 56 bottles of medication; several prescriptions that had been put ready for delivery the following day; and a large quantity of food supplements and energy drinks.

The break-in was described when Ace was jailed for two years for burglary and being a passenger in a car that was driven dangerously after being taken without permission.

The 21-year-old, of Long View Road, Clase, was sent down after pleading guilty at Swansea Crown Court before Judge Keith Thomas.

Nicola Powell, prosecuting, said that on the evening of September 11 some car keys were stolen in a burglary at a house in Vicarage Road, Morriston.

These were then used to take a Mazda car, which was used a short time later as the getaway vehicle in the raid at Sway Road.

Miss Powell said a firefighter at Morriston Fire Station raised the alarm at 1.15am after hearing an "almighty bang or crash" when something was used to smash the window of nearby Lloyds Pharmacy. When the fireman went to investigate, he saw the shop's front window had been knocked out and three people were climbing in and out of the premises, loading things into the nearby Mazda.

When he shouted, they sped off in the car and police eventually caught up with them in Llangyfelach Road.

During the subsequent chase, said Miss Powell, a large number of bags containing medication were hurled onto the road and the Mazda evaded traffic officers by squeezing between some bollards near Hamilton Street, Landore.

Ace was arrested a short time later when he was spotted emerging from a wooded area off Neath Road.

He denied involvement, claiming to have been urinating in the bushes.

But scientists found that one of his trainers exactly matched a mark left at the pharmacy, said Miss Powell. There were also incriminating text messages on his mobile phone.

Paul Hobson, in mitigation, conceded that his client had a "dreadful" criminal record, mainly for offences involving motor vehicles and burglary.

Sentencing, Judge Thomas said it was disturbing that a large quantity of drugs had been discarded following the burglary.

"Pharmacy burglaries are very much more serious than burglaries at clothes shops and the like," added the judge.