Burglar jailed over £13k-worth loot from Ipswich c-store

A burglar, who stole a safe and goods worth more than £13,000 during a break-in at an Ipswich store, has been jailed for 26 months.

Sentencing 31-year-old Daniel Ruel, Judge Martyn Levett acknowledged that corner shops provided a significant local service, especially during the pandemic but has been frequently targeted by thieves and burglars.

“These smaller shops provide a lifeline to many rural or suburban householders and are especially important to elderly consumers,” said the judge.

He said corner shops were frequently targeted by burglars, robbers and shoplifters and trade magazines and the Association of Convenience Stores has been constantly calling for a need of greater protection for them.

Judge Levett said the owner of the Penalty 2 convenience store at Ellenbrook Green had not been able to afford insurance and was left with debts of more than £22,000 following the raid.

Ruel of Springham Drive, Colchester, meanwhile, has admitted burglary at the store on January 12 last year during which a safe, a till drawer, £100 cash, alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco and a laptop computer were stolen.

Shortly before the burglary, the shop had received a bulk delivery of cigarettes which were stolen along with 88 lighters and tobacco, the court heard.

During the burglary a shutter at the rear of the premises was ripped off its frame and the intruders had spent nearly two hours collecting and removing goods, said Nicola May, prosecuting.

Although burglars had been wearing jackets and hoods, police were able to identify Ruel as one of the burglars after officers recognised him from CCTV footage of the stock room.