Man jailed for butchers burglary

A burglar who stole two charity boxes from a north Norfolk butcher has been described as the lowest of the low.

Jeffrey McKeown was jailed for six months on Tuesday for breaking into G F White Butchers in Aylsham and taking the charity boxes with about �30 in and �100 in cash from a till.

The boxes were used to raise funds for guide dogs and to help a brain tumour charity.

McKeown, 24, had earlier pleaded guilty to the burglary which happened between August 20 and 23 in Red Lion Street.

At Great Yarmouth magistrates court, his role in the burglary was said to be that of a look-out but he was arrested after a fingerprint was found on the window of the butchers that was broken into.

Jailing him for six months, Judge Philip Browning said McKeown, of Star Farm Close, Bradwell, was a prolific burglar as he had a long list of criminal convictions.

After the sentencing, the owner of G F White Butchers, Crawford White, said he was not really satisfied with the outcome as McKeown would only serve half his sentence.

Mr White, the third generation of his family to run the business, said: 'There was a sense of disbelief when I saw the charity boxes and till had gone.

'Only the lowest of the low would take charity boxes.

'There is also a still a sense of our privacy being invaded.'

Mr White said it would cost about �100 to repair the damage at his butchers.

Annette Hall, mitigating for McKeown, said he had only acted as look out on the burglary.

Miss Hall added: 'This was not committed to fund a habit. He desperately needed the money.'

McKeown had a long list of convictions and had served a prison sentence last year.

Judge Philip Browning, sentencing, said: 'You are a prolific burglar.'