A HEROIN addict has been jailed for just shy of 3 years after he burgled the house of people who considered him a friend.

Judge Paul Hobson said Russel Gifford had “betrayed” Clive Samuel and his son Brian by committing the offence, which Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Thursday, July 11, heard he committed to fuel his heroin addiction.

The court was told Gifford, 45, let himself into the Brecon home of Clive Samuel, a vulnerable 69-year-old man and registered disabled, in the early hours of June 10, and stole a multitude of items including a gold bracelet, an X-Box games console and a bank card.

Gifford, of Stoneleigh Manor, Brecon, was arrested on June 12 and admitted burglary at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court on June 13 – the offence put him in breach of a suspended sentence imposed in March 2023 for various offences, including theft.

Prosecutor Francesca Parry said Gifford entered Mr Samuel’s home at around 1.40am on June 10, with the victim sitting in a chair in the living room; his mobility issues mean he has spent the last 18 months sleeping in a recliner chair in the living room.

“Mr Samuel heard the door open and believed it was his son, Brian, who’d gone out earlier the previous evening,” Ms Parry said.

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“He shouted out but got no reply. The living room door opened and he could not see the person, just an outline.

“The defendant did not speak, left the room and entered Brian’s bedroom; Mr Samuel heard rustling and after about 5 minutes the defendant left.

“Still believing it to be his son he called him, asking why he hadn’t spoken to him. Brian Samuel said he was still out and hadn’t been home. He soon came home and noticed items had been taken.

“He watched the CCTV which showed a man had come in and left carrying an X Box. He recognised the defendant, as it was someone they both knew and he had grown up with him.”

She said Gifford stole in total a tobacco pouch, a Barclays debit card, Samsung wireless earphones, a 22 carat gold bracelet, an Android smart phone, as well as an amount of medication.

A police officer reviewing the footage also identified the defendant.

“There was also CCTV footage of him returning to his home address around 10 minutes later, carrying an unknown object under his clothing,” added Ms Parry.

“He was arrested and said he couldn’t remember the evening. He had attended hospital on Monday (June 10) due to dizzy spells.

“He said he had no knowledge of attending the address and does not know where the items are.

“Clive Samuel was 69 at the time and has mobility issues; he is registered disabled.

“His son lives with him and his family support and care for him throughout his daily life. The defendant knows the victims and knows Clive Samuel had those issues and was therefore vulnerable.”

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She said Gifford, convicted of burglary as an 18-year-old in 1997, had 25 convictions for 37 offences, and was currently in breach of a crown court suspended sentence.

That 18-month sentence was handed down in March 2023 for offences of aggravated vehicle taking, failing to provide a sample and theft of a bank card that occurred on December 26, 2022.

Acting for Gifford, Matthew Thomas said no pre-sentence report had been ordered as his client accepted the inevitability of his position.

“He was previously an alcoholic for 10 years and, while in the recovery phase, a friend offered him heroin,” said Mr Thomas.

“He has been an addict for eight years and this offence was committed out of sheer desperation and opportunity.

“He has asked me to express his genuine remorse and contrition.”

Judge Hobson told Gifford: “Mr Samuel said he was annoyed and disappointed at your behaviour as you’d been friends with the Samuels.

“His description is an understatement given the betrayal of that friendship.”

He jailed Gifford for 20 months for the offence, while also activating the suspended sentence. Gifford will serve 12 months consecutively, while 6 months will be served concurrently – giving a total sentence of 32 months.

A restraining order, preventing Gifford from approaching or contacting the Samuels, will last for 5 years.