A REMORSEFUL burglar who retrieved a £3,000 watch he sold after stealing it from a Rogerstone farm has been jailed for two and a half years.

David McVeigh, 38, of Colton Road, Liverpool, stole the Omega watch along with other watches and sunglasses from a property on Cwm Lane on September 1.

Cardiff Crown Court heard he later sold the watch but after admitting his guilt, went to great lengths to recover it.

It was reunited with the burglary victims after the defendant’s family travelled down to Cardiff from Liverpool on Wednesday with the watch, which is believed to be the item taken pending a serial number check.

The court heard how on September 1, the owner of the farm returned home after picking his children up from school and saw an unfamiliar car on the driveway. When questioned, McVeigh told the victim that he was lost.

Prosecuting Jason Howells said after entering the house, they discovered the property had been ‘ransacked’.”

Items totalling £3,360 were taken from the house including the Omega watch, other watches, sunglasses and €50.

The court heard that McVeigh later fully admitted his guilt in relation to the charge of burglary.

“He said that he had thrown most of the items away on the road although he has sold the watch due being under the influence of Valium,” said Mr Howells.

Defending, Gareth Williams said that this was a rare occasion where the remorsefulness of a defendant was visible to the court.

“Many people say they are remorseful but the defendant has evidenced this by going to great lengths to recover the most expensive item stolen,” said Mr Williams.

“His family are supporting him through this and have travelled a great length down from Liverpool to be here for him. They also brought the watch with them.”

Mr Williams added that McVeigh knew that his actions had caused distress to the victims and was sorry for his actions.

Concluding, judge Niclas Parry said that McVeigh was fortunate that the family affected by the burglary were hoping to put the issue to one side, but his antecedent history had worked against him.

“You are fortunate that the family which you took the items from are level-headed and do not wish to make a huge issue of this,” he said.

“You have a long list of previous convictions – some 152. While I see you are remorseful by having gone to great lengths to get the watch back, this has the hallmarks of planned burglary at which point young children were present. There was also a confrontation.”

McVeigh received a sentence of two and a half years, of which he will spent half his term in prison.