A TEENAGE boy killed pet fish and stole Christmas presents during a frenzied burglary at a wheelchair-bound woman's home where he smashed furniture, decapitated dolls and stabbed a TV with a knife. The 13-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, ransacked 33-year-old Maria Hill's home in Wyman's Brook, Cheltenham. He broke the gear-stick of the cerebral palsy sufferer's wheelchair and decapitated Geisha dolls given to her as presents.
Prosecutor Erinna Foley-Fisher told Gloucester Crown Court the boy from Cheltenham would make no comment and merely smirked when interviewed by police.
The court heard how he carried out the burglary just two days before Christmas, while Miss Hill was visiting her mum.
The boy broke in by smashing a window.
He overturned and broke furniture, stabbed the television and suitcases with a knife, and ripped the kitchen door off.
The teenager then smashed her two 60 litre fish tanks and threw her dead fish – named Pepper and Judy – at a wall.
He also stole money, jewellery and stamps.
Ms Foley-Fisher added: "He was questioned by police and gave no comment and police note that he showed no remorse and even smirked at points.
"He was believed to have been with another male and that male remains unidentified."
The shocking story was told at the court yesterday as the boy unsuccessfully appealed against being locked up for 12-months – a sentenced he was given in March after admitting the burglary.
In a victim impact statement read out to the court, Miss Hill, who lives alone, said the burglary has left her feeling "vulnerable" and "nervous" around teenagers.
She added: "I always look for the best in people and now I won't have a choice. I will be thinking twice."
She said yesterday: "I was absolutely devastated.
"I went to pieces when I first heard what happened.
"I didn't want to let it ruin Christmas for us though, but I was back home Christmas Day because there was so much to sort out.
"I physically couldn't go in the house because forensics were still there."
Two of her three goldfish, Pepper and Judy, had been killed. However, Mya, the third, survived.
"There were blood and guts everywhere,"Maria said.
She added: "I am pleased that the young man in question has had his sentence upheld."
