[A] VENGEFUL burglar who flooded a woman’s guest house after she spurned his unwanted advances has been handed a suspended jail term.
Drunken Kevin Hartley, 35, broke into Katherine King’s Glenfield House in Whitehaven while she was away. He turned on water which was seen “gushing” out of the property after he left shower heads on the floor and plug holes covered.
Carlisle Crown Court heard three ceilings collapsed, while the cost of damage and lost earnings ran into thousands of pounds. Painter and decorator Hartley had worked at the guest house but was told by Miss King she didn’t share affection he professed to have for her. He was sentenced today (FRI) having admitted burglary with intent to do unlawful damage in late February.
A 20-month prison sentence was suspended for 18 months. Remorseful Hartley, of Snebro Road, Whitehaven, was given a rehabilitation requirement, four-month night-time curfew and unpaid work.
A restraining order will prevent him contacting Miss King in any way for five years.
Recorder Nicholas Clarke QC told him: “You behaved in a most disgraceful manner.”
