Man jailed after getting key cut and entering woman’s home

A man has been jailed after he admitted getting keys cut and going into a woman’s home in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Ashley Watling, 44, from Basford, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Thursday (21 September) to 30 months behind bars having pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary – with intent to cause damage.

He was also given a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and ordered to pay a surcharge of £190.

The court heard how Watling went inside the victim’s home twice between May and June of last year. He stole a key from inside and went to get it cut so he could gain access to the home.

Watling also admitted to ejaculating into the victim’s underwear which he has then put back into the drawer and left at the location

Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Kelsall, of the Public Protection Unit at Staffordshire Police, said: “Crimes of this nature can have a long-lasting effect on victims and their families.

“Our priority has always been about protecting the public from harm and we are committed to taking proactive action against those responsible and supporting victims as much as possible.”

“The sentencing and the granting of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order validate the severity of this offence and acknowledge the importance of protecting the community from harm.”