Shopkeeper, 97, selling Devon shop after burglary

Daniel Anderson smashed the window at The Attic in Newton Abbot and stole items from inside

A 97-year-old shopkeeper is selling up after a smash and grab burglar stole "priceless" antiques from his store, a court has heard.

Exeter Crown Court was told widower George Gillman said the incident on 22 March was the final straw for him and led to him deciding to sell The Attic antiques shop.

The court heard Daniel Anderson was drunk when he walked up to the window and smashed it before grabbing items worth £6,015 from inside.

Anderson, 42, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to burglary and was handed a 10-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, along with a requirement for alcohol treatment and 40 days of rehabilitation activities.

The court heard Mr Gillman described some of the stolen items, including rings and gems, as "priceless" because they had been bought by his late wife.

During the hearing, the court heard only a leather box and a pair of binoculars were recovered from the multiple items taken.

Along with the value of the stolen items, more than £1,000 worth of damage was caused to the shop during the burglary, the court was told.

'I'm packing up'

Mr Gillman, who served 27 years in the Royal Navy, sat in the public gallery in court, where Judge Stephen Climie thanked him for the service which he had given to the public over many years.

The shopkeeper said in a victim impact statement that he was unlikely to carry on running the store.

He said: "I can’t see myself getting any of the stolen things back.

"This isn’t the first time this has happened. The shop is up for sale. I’m 97 and I’m packing up."

'Decent, hardworking man'

Sentencing, Judge Climie said Anderson's actions had undoubtedly targeted the shop due to the significant value of the goods on display.

Judge Climie said: "Mr Gillman is a decent, hardworking man who has dedicated his life to the service of others, selling antiques which carry all sorts of family stories, which he is able to tell the buyers when they look at them.

"These items included those purchased by his late wife."

Mr Paul Dentith, defending, said Anderson - who had 44 previous convictions for theft - wanted to apologise and said he was willing to address alcohol and drug issues which had led to him falling into a cycle of homelessness and offending.