Two burglars, Jordan Sutherland, 29, and Cornelius Sleight, 31, have been sentenced to a total of five years in prison for looting the home of a 56-year-old man who had died of natural causes. The court heard that Sutherland climbed through a window into Paul Taylor's Lincoln home and passed stolen items, including a jewelry box, to Sleight, who waited outside.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the incident occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. on May 13. Sutherland stated in a police interview that he saw the deceased man through the window but did not have a mobile phone to alert authorities. The victim was later confirmed to have passed away from natural causes prior to the burglary.

Recorder Adrian Reynolds told the defendants that they should have contacted emergency services or at least left the premises. "What you did in effect was to walk over his body and enrich yourselves," the recorder stated. Sutherland, who has prior burglary convictions, received a three-year sentence for his third offense, while Sleight was sentenced to two years.

Family impact statements were read in court, with the victim's sister describing the burglars' actions as a "monstrous lack of common decency." She explained that the family experienced an hour of distress before learning of her brother's death from natural causes, adding, "They walked into a home, bypassed a deceased man and chose greed." The victim's daughter noted that instead of receiving dignity or help, her father was "just left there on the floor." She also mentioned that an antique clock, which her father had restored, was broken during the intrusion.

Sutherland's defense argued that the act was opportunistic and not a targeting of a vulnerable victim, emphasizing that the burglars were not responsible for the man's death. Sleight's defense apologized for the added distress to the family and argued Sleight played a lesser role. Sleight also admitted to ten shop thefts.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and failing to surrender to custody. Sutherland was deemed the main player in the offense.