Homeless drug addict who burgled Jewish homes is jailed for six years

A homeless drug addict who burgled Jewish properties in Manchester because he thought Jews were rich has been jailed for six years.

Steven Lovell, 47, was finally caught earlier this year by volunteers from the neighbourhood watch group Shomrim, who handed him in to the police. He had targeted homes and cars owned by Jews in Salford.

Lovell cut himself while breaking into the first home near Broughton Park through a conservatory window, leaving blood at the scene. This allowed police officers to later identify him through his DNA.

During another break-in, Lovell came face-to-face with a male householder who backed off for fear that he would be attacked. Although Lovell made off with the man’s wife’s handbag, the man was later able to identify him from a police line-up.

On another occasion, in April, a terrified Jewish family with five children was woken by him banging downstairs, as he made off with two candelabras worth £2,500 and a silver goblet worth £500.

He was finally caught by Shomrim volunteers who were called by a woman reporting that a man was breaking into her car. Lovell was trying to get £10 in change in the centre console.

Defence lawyer Duncan Philips said Lovell was acting through desperation, adding that he had no accommodation, no food and a drug addiction.

Sentencing, Judge Richard Mansell agreed that Lovell had not targeted Jewish households for reasons of prejudice, saying: “You were aware there would likely be high value ornaments in the house… You are becoming a menace to society.”