Overnight raid at eatery was burglary No.39

A man who broke into a popular Chinese restaurant was committing his 39th burglary, a court has heard.

- JASON EVANS

Dale Teague stole goods worth up to £9,000 in the overnight raid, taking everything from guitars to jewellery and even filling suitcases with bottles of spirits from behind the bar.

Swansea Crown Court heard that shortly before committing the burglary the defendant had suffered the death of his dog - a pet described as his “best friend” - and the loss had seen his life spiralling downwards.

Dean Pulling, prosecuting, told the court that a member of staff arrived for work at Gigi Gao's Favourite Authentic Chinese Restaurant in Swansea Marina on July 30 last year and immediately realised there had been a break-in overnight and contacted the owner.

The court heard that the police were notified and when CCTV footage was checked, Teague and another man could be seen walking around the premises in the early hours of that morning checking cupboards, chatting to each other, taking money from the till and staff tip jar, and filling a suitcase with bottles of spirts.

The court heard that footage from Gigi Gao’s and from the surrounding area and businesses showed Teague and his accomplice had spent more than 90 minutes going to and from the restaurant and carrying off their haul in bags.