Sherwood Forest restaurant boss welcomes jailing of burglar – but says ‘he deserved longer’

Bella Vita, on Main Street, Ollerton, was targeted overnight on Saturday, February 18, after a window was smashed.

Bottles of spirits and a tips jar was stolen, as well as about £1,870 in cash from a till.

Jonathan Blundell has now been jailed for 13 months after admitting burglary.

Antonio Barcheloni, La Bella Vita manager, said: "I'm pleased he has been jailed although I think 13 months is not enough, I think he should have got three years for what he did to us.

“He stole money for us and caused us sufferance, he stole from our restaurant and we love this place, it's like a part of our own bodies.

“It's crazy, that day we came back to find what had happened, we had to close and we lost about £3,000 as a result because we had 60 people booked in for that day and we had to stay closed."

“I am glad he's behind bars now, I just think he deserved longer.”

Nottingham Crown Court heard Blundell had not long been released from prison when he broke into the Bella Vita with an accomplice.

Stuart Lody, prosecuting, said that when Blundell’s father, who is “estranged from him because of his deplorable behaviour”, heard about the break-in at the family-owned business, he helped identify him.

Earlier that week, in a “mean, mindless offence”, 34-year-old Blundell hurled two bricks through the windows of a woman he had known for 27 years, damaging a television with one and narrowly missing her female friend with the other.

Mr Lody said: “They had known each other since they were children and she treated him as her nephew.

“Unfortunately he didn’t respond in kind and he has been pestering her and saying he wants a relationship and to move in with her.”

After she refused, Mr Lody said, Blundell began turning up at her address drunk and being rude and abusive.

Blundell later rang up to deny responsibility, and she replied: “How did you know my window was smashed?” He texted her: “I haven't even started yet. Sleep well tonight.”

In a statement, she said: “I am scared to sleep in my own home… (and) scared of what he will do next.”

Two days later, Blundell kicked the glass out of front doors at Costcutters, and threatened to break the shop assistant’s legs before telling her: “We know where you live.”

He goaded a young woman into butting the assistant, who has serious health issues, twice. She was left with a black eye, headaches, and feeling “jittery and paranoid”.

As well as the burglary, Blundell, of Yew Tree Tree Road, Ollerton, admitted threats and criminal damage.

Katie Hodgkinson, mitigating, said homeless Blundell resorted to offending after an offer of accommodation fell through.

She said he has “significant mental health problems”, adding: “He just wants to offer his sincerest apologies. He is clearly in need of intervention and support.”

Detective Constable Emma Beardmore, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “I’m pleased Blundell has been brought to justice and is now off our streets.”