A MAN who betrayed the friendship of a Stourbridge couple has avoided a jail term – after they pleaded with the judge to give him mercy.

Philip Howell and his partner provided food and accommodation to needy people for social services under the Open Door project.

21-year-old George Maudsley stayed at their home in Perrins Lane, Wollescote, for nine months, Wolvlerhampton Crown Court was told.

After leaving the property, Maudsley got in touch with the couple to ask if he could borrow a tent because he was again homeless.

Then, after Mr Howell and his partner left the house, he got in through a window with an accomplice and escaped with jewellery of great sentimental value.

Judge Michael Challinor told Maudsley: “This was a mean offence, this couple provided you with a home and clearly you told your co-defendant the premises could be burgled.”

He said the property was targeted by the pair and the harm they had done was “quite considerable”, but he ruled he was satisfied it was the second raider who was behind the crime.

“Mr Howell has asked for mercy for you, he says there is a good in you and he does not want to see you go into custody,” said the judge.

Daniel Oscroft, prosecuting, said Mr Howell and his partner had been deeply upset by the burglary on their home but in a victim impact statement they stressed they did not want to see him go behind bars.

“They feel that under his tough exterior there is a gently person with a kind heart,” Mr Oscroft told the court.

Maudsley, now living in the Hawfield area of Bristol, admitted burglary and he was given a nine month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

Blondelle Thompson, defending, said Maudsley had been taking giant steps to put his life back onto the rails.

She said he was finally doing something with his life, his partner was expecting their child, and he accepted his actions in Stourbridge had been “extremely mean”.

Miss Thompson said it was the second raider – who was jailed for 16 months in June for his part in the crime – who was the “practised burglar”.