A BURGLAR broke in to his parents’ house and stole a safe containing jewellery and sentimental items before flogging them across Ammanford and Swansea.

Swansea Crown Court heard that Daniel Cloke had an argument with his girlfriend when he was staying with his grandparents at an address on Heol Y Gelynen in Ammanford on July 26.

Prosecutor Emily Bennett said his grandparents saw Cloke walk in to the kitchen and take a breadknife before leaving.

He was reported as saying ‘I’m the black sheep of the family and no-one cares about me’, before making a reference that he would later take his own life.

When he returned to the house, he said he had dropped the knife down a drain.

The defendant was located and arrested on Folland Road in Garnant. He denied having a knife, and said in interview that all three witnesses “were mistaken” as he was only carrying tobacco in his hand.

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The defendant’s mum took her children to Porthcawl Beach on July 30. Whilst they were there, one of her daughters uploaded a picture of them all on to her Snapchat. The defendant, who had been released on bail, called his sister to confirm they were all at the beach, and then hung up.

The following night, the defendant’s father noticed that the safe in their bedroom was missing.

Ms Bennett said the safe contained gold bracelets, a solid gold chain, some Turkish coins, a gold wedding ring, as well as passports and their marriage certificate.

The court heard that Cloke sold earrings, rings and scrap gold in Ammanford on July 31, and sold some of the other stolen jewellery in the town the following day.

Cloke was paid £1,335 by H&T pawnbrokers in Swansea on August 5 when he sold a gold ring, two gold bracelets, a separate Turkish coin which had come from a bracelet, and a solitaire ring which he had stolen.

The defendant was located on August 8 and was arrested after police found him hiding under a bed.

In interview, he claimed his handprint found in his parents’ bedroom was from the previous Christmas.

The defendant’s mother, via a statement read out by Ms Bennett, said: “I feel totally violated and upset.

“I feel so down that our own son could do this to me.”

Cloke, 26, of Station Road in Upper Brynamman, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife, burglary, and three offences of fraud by false representation at Swansea Magistrates’ Court on August 10.

Andrew Evans, in mitigation, said the defendant was on a “cocaine binge” at the time of the offences.

“Mr Cloke acknowledges the seriousness of his actions and the consequences his actions have had on his family members,” he said

“This is a troubled young man.

“At that time he was going through a difficult period in his relationship.

“He sought to resolve his feelings of despair and lack of self-worth by abusing substances.”

“No greater breach of trust can be imagined. The householder was your own mother,” Judge Huw Rees said.

“It’s to your shame that you committed this burglary which in my view was a sly, devious, and mean offence.”

Cloke was sentenced to a total of two-and-a-half years in prison.