The court heard a fingerprint lift was taken off a sachet of chicken seasoning which matched Barr’s profile
A former chef was jailed for six months today after he burgled and “ransacked” a student house in south Belfast.
Christopher John Barr, 33, whose address was given on court papers as c/o of Social Security Agency, Royal Avenue, Belfast, had previously pleaded guilty to a single count of burglary.
Belfast Crown Court heard that at 9.30am on April 18, 2021, police received a report of a burglary at student accommodation on Rugby Avenue.
Prosecution barrister Eoin Macdonald said police attended the scene and observed a male looking out of the letter box at them from inside the property.
“They observed the male’s height, hair colour and clothing. They observed him leave and followed to a Spar shop in Botanic Avenue where they suspected he had fled,” said Mr Macdonald.
“CCTV from the Spar shop was retrieved which showed a male who matched a description of the burglary suspect handing over a watch to a female.
“Police officers then returned to the burglary scene where the kitchen cupboards had been ransacked. Two TVs along with an Amazon firestick, a speaker, shoes and jewellery were stolen.”
The court heard a fingerprint lift was taken off a sachet of chicken seasoning which matched Barr’s profile.
In April 2024 a new police officer assigned to the case reviewed the Spar CCTV footage and identified the suspect as Barr from previous dealings with him.
In May this year Barr received a 32 month sentence for aggravated vehicle taking and burglary.
The court heard Barr has 84 previous convictions which included assaults on police, seven entries for burglary, one for fraud and 19 entries for a range of thefts.
Judge Neil Rafferty KC said there was an “element of tragedy” in the defendant’s life as addiction to alcohol and substance misuse had become so severe that he lost his job as a qualified chef.
“Unfortunately his substance misuse and his alcohol addictions have led to him suffering physically and mentally over the years and have led to various inpatient stays in mental health institutions,” said Judge Rafferty.
He noted that there had been a delay in the case of three years until a new police officer took over the case.
Judge Rafferty said that had the case before him been dealt with in May this year the sentencing judge would likely have added a further six months to the 32 month sentence she imposed.
Imposing a six month sentence for the burglary offence, the judge said this would likely interfere with Barr’s release date from prison.
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