Drunk burglar caught asleep on victim’s settee – on the day he was released from prison
A DRUNKEN thief was caught out after falling asleep on the sofa of the house he had been ransacking - on the same day he was released from prison, a court heard.
Thomas Money was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday
Michael Day and his fiancée returned home from their stag and hen nights to find a man asleep in their living room where the rug had been urinated on.
The bride-to-be, who was not named in court, also found her wedding dress had also been thrown on the floor by convicted thief Thomas Money, 57.
He was jailed for three and a half years yesterday after he admitted burglary and assault following the incident on October 8.
Mr Day, of Felixstowe, Suffolk, pulled Money off his sofa after demanding to know what he was doing inside the couple's home.
Ipswich Crown Court heard how Money mumbled something and thinking he was drunk, Mr Day had taken him from the living room to the front door.
Michael Crimp, prosecuting, said at that point Mr Day noticed two school bags and an overnight bag which had been packed full of his family's belongings by Money.
The bride-to-be found her wedding dress thrown out by thief Money
As Mr Day walked Money down the garden path he asked him: "Why would you do something like this?" but Money then punched Mr Day near his right eye and cheekbone.
This was a vile desecration of this family's home
Mr Day took hold of Money in a bear-hug and they fell to the ground where the thief then bit the future groom's thumb, causing the skin to break.
The police were then called and Mr Day managed to restrain Money until the police arrived.
Money, of no fixed address, admitted burglary and assault and was jailed at Ipswich Crown Court.
Money admitted burglary and assault at court
Sentencing him Judge David Goodin said: "This was a vile desecration of this family's home.
"Mr Day and his fiancée were looking forward to their marriage and you took her wedding dress and hurled it to the floor."
The thief had been released from prison the same day of the burglary
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Andrew Spence, for Money, who has more than 100 previous convictions, said his client had been released from prison earlier that day and had been drinking in Ipswich before catching a bus to Felixstowe to look for somewhere to spend the night.
He said Money had a history of drug and alcohol and misuse and was disgusted with himself for committing the offence so soon after coming out of prison.