Below are some of the more serious and dreadful robbery and burglary cases to have passed through Sheffield Crown Court recently where victims have been left traumatised and out-of-pocket.
Offenders have been involved in stealing from an elderly victim, taking sentimental items, and using weapons such as metal bars, a knife and even a machete to get their hands on ill-gotten gains.
One victim was in her bedroom when an offender came into her home armed with a knife and in another case, a victim had been doing housework when a robber came into their home with a metal bar.
But judges have seen fit to punish these offenders appropriately with custodial sentences of varying lengths.
1. Simon Pass
Simon Pass, of Calder Way, Firth Park, broke into a property on Burngreave Road, Burngreave, in October, stealing wedding and engagement rings, other jewellery, laptops and a games console.The defendant, aged 40 at the time of sentencing, was jailed for six years, after a January hearing at Sheffield Crown Court. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
2. Gareth Crofts
Gareth Crofts, of Selly Oak Grove, Jordanthorpe, visited an elderly disabled man's home in Jordanthorpe in February asking for tea bags before he snatched cash from a bedroom. He admitted the burglary and Judge Peter Kelson QC sentenced Crofts - aged 38 at the time - to 18-months of custody in May. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
3. David Mitchell
David Mitchell mugged a man for cash near the Bath Hotel in the city centre in January. Mitchell, aged 43 when sentenced, pleaded guilty to robbery, failing to surrender and possession of an offensive weapon and was jailed for four years, six-months and 14-days. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
4. Reece Coles
Reece Coles burst into a living room armed with a metal bar and stole cash while the terrified occupant was house cleaning. Coles, of Commercial Street, Barnsley, was jailed for three-and-half years for this robbery and for another robbery and for making threats to damage property. He was 25 when sentenced in June. Photo: South Yorkshire Police