He boasted he'd 'robbed an old woman' as he wore her stolen jewellery
David Large, 42, boasted to his partner bout what he'd done
David Large, 42, punched his partner and held a knife to his throat before burgling an 92-year-old woman and stealing her jewellery
(Image: South Wales Police)
A burglar broke into the home of a 92-year-old woman and stole her wedding jewellery to give to his girlfriend who he had assaulted earlier that day by holding a knife to her throat. He later boasted to his partner and told her he had "robbed an old woman" while wearing the stolen jewellery around his neck.
David Large, 42, committed the burglary and the assault while he was on bail for breaking into a B&Q store in Caerphilly where he stole more than £4,000 worth of items. He was linked to the burglaries after he was recognised on CCTV footage and his DNA was found at the scene.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard the defendant had been out with his partner on September 7 last year before going back to her home in Barry. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
He began drinking from a bottle of gin and started acting aggressively and in an argumentative manner before shouting at her and accusing her of seeing other men.
During the argument he punched her to the face and head causing bruising and soreness.
The defendant then picked up a knife from the kitchen and held it to her neck, threatening to put it through her throat.
Prosecutor Nuhu Gobir said the victim persuaded Large to leave and he took a mobile phone and £30 and she locked the door.
He returned around four hours later and entered the victim's home by smashing a window.
He told his partner he had "robbed an old woman" and had jewellery hanging from his neck.
The defendant asked her to pawn the jewellery but she refused to do so and described feeling "physically sick" at what he had done.
The 92-year-old victim of the burglary woke up at 7.30am the next day and discovered the front door was open and jewellery, including her engagement ring given to her by her late husband, was missing.
At the time of these offences Large was on bail after he and another man had broken into B&Q in Caerphilly on two occasions in September 2023 where they had taken a total of £4,234 of items including power tools and Ring doorbells.
Large, of Hansen Street, Butetown, Cardiff, later pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, theft, and criminal damage.
The court heard he has committed more than 100 offences and has 10 previous convictions for burglary.
In mitigation Zoe Laugharne said her client, a father-of-one, experienced violence at a young age and had issues with drugs and alcohol.
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Judge Eugene Egan sentenced Large to a total of 56 months imprisonment.
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