BURGLAR Malcolm Colin Campbell escaped prison after his victim begged for mercy, a court heard.

Campbell, 31, admitted burglary at a holiday home in the Vale of Clwyd.

Mold Crown Court heard how a double-glazed window had been removed from the property at Highland Cottages, Llanbedr, near Ruthin, and a large quantity of property including the television, video recorder, satellite decoder, cabinet, radio, microwave oven and toaster had been stolen.

Prosecuting barrister Andrew Jebb told how a knife or other sharp object had been used to slash the three-piece suite, the mattress in the bed and the curtains in what appeared to be a revenge attack.

It was claimed that Campbell, who had done work at the cottage previously, had fallen out with the owner, Widnes businessman Samuel Evans, because it was alleged that Mr Evans had got involved with the defendant's brother's girlfriend.

Campbell, of Bankfield Road, Widnes, admitted burglary and was given a two-year prison sentence but it was wholly suspended after Mr Evans wrote to the court to ask the judge not to jail him.

Mr Evans, a metal merchant and shipbreaking contractor, also said that if the defendant retained his liberty then there was a job waiting for him.

Judge Geoffrey Kilfoil said that the letter had saved Campbell from prison.

"It seems to me that where a victim begs for a non-custodial sentence when he has had his property stolen and damaged then I should take that into account," the judge said.

The court heard that there had clearly been others involved in the burglary and Campbell said that while he had been there he had not been personally responsible for the damage.

None of the stolen property was recovered and Campbell was caught after his fingerprint was found on an electrical socket.

Initially, Campbell denied being involved and claimed that his fingerprint must have been there from a previous time when he worked at the property and had used the kettle to make a hot drink.

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