Burglar Stephen Joynes, who stole £11,000 of items from Newark Antiques Warehouse, sentenced at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court

A burglar who stole £11,000 worth of antiques has been ordered to pay half back in compensation — and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Stephen Joynes, 32, of no fixed address, broke into Newark Antique Warehouse, on Kelham Road, in the early hours of March 29, and stole items from a number of display cabinets inside.

He appeared at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on May 29.

Prosecutors described how at about 4am on March 29, two individuals were seen to scope out the outside of the antiques store, before using a garden spade to break in through a window.

One offender stayed outside, while Joynes went inside and smashed display cases to take items — including jewellery — from inside them.

He filled three bags for life which were passed out of the antiques store — but unfortunately for Joynes he left a trace of his blood on the window.

Crime scene investigators matched this blood to Joynes through the national database.

Joynes was arrested for the burglary when response officers were called to reports of someone acting suspiciously in London Road, Newark, on the morning of April 26.

When questioning Joynes, they realised he was the chief suspect for the break-in.

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence at a hearing on April 28, but his sentence was put back to allow for a pre sentencing report to be prepared.

No arrests have been made in relation to the second offender seen at the scene.

Joynes’ defence noted he had struggled with class A drug use for many years, and at the time of the offence had been out of work and was not in receipt of benefits — and said the crime was financially motivated.

They added: “He is now on universal credit and has received his first payment, and has spoken to his uncle who is a subcontractor at a recycling plant in Dudley and says there is work for him there on a four on, four off rota.

“His intention is to do four days work there, and return to the Newark area for the four days in between so he can do what probation requires of him.

“There is a prospect of rehabilitation.”

Joynes was sentenced to an 18-month community order of 200 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay £5,500 in compensation at a rate of £100 a month, and attend 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

His guilty plea and plans to gain employment were taken into account. He had one previous offence on record, dating back to 2014.