A BURGLAR who stole family heirlooms from a house in Weymouth has been jailed for 27 months.

Peter Shaw, 46, appeared at Dorchester Crown Court after admitting the burglary at Kestrel View.

Prosecutor David Jenkins told the court that the homeowner had discovered a lap top and safe had been taken on July 19.

He said the safe contained around £2,000 in cash as well as four rings that had significant sentimental value.

The victim was then in Weymouth town centre on August 2 when she saw two of the rings in the window of the jewellers.

She contacted the police and the rings were recovered but the other two were never found.

Shaw, of Clifton Place, Weymouth, admitted in police interview that he had taken items from the house but claimed he had ‘panicked’ and thrown them off a cliff on Portland and had not even opened the safe.

Giving evidence at a trial of issue, he said: “I realised what I had done and went to Portland and lobbed them off the cliff.”

Judge Roger Jarvis was not persuaded by Shaw’s account, particularly as two of the rings ended up at a jewellers that the defendant admitted to having regular dealings with.

He said: “I find Mr Shaw not to be a reliable witness.

“I’m quite sure that he is not telling me the truth about these matters.

“I’m quite sure when this safe was taken he took it knowing it was a safe and I’m quite sure he opened it and took the items from within.”

After the judge had dismissed Shaw’s version of events his barrister Richard Onslow said in mitigation: “In my submission this is not a planned burglary but a spur of the moment burglary.

“This is not a burglary in which the property is ransacked, some items were removed and that’s it.”

Judge Jarvis told the defendant as he sentenced him: “People are very, very perturbed when their private property is invaded by others.

“In this case you have taken items which have particular sentimental value to the loser, these are items which cannot be replaced.”

Police Constable Nick Gravenor, of Weymouth police, said after the case: “Burglary is a very unpleasant crime and can have a significant, long lasting impact on victims.

“The owner of this property was devastated at the loss of her jewellery, in particular two rings that belonged to her mother which have a high sentimental and monetary value.

“I hope that the knowledge that this offender is now behind bars, will bring some comfort and reassurance to the victim.

“It will always be a priority for the Dorset Police to investigate and detect these offences and bring those responsible for them to justice.”