Amy Winehouse ex-husband jailed for Leeds burglary

Blake Fielder-Civil and accomplice Christopher Sylvester, both 29, went equipped with a hammer, black tape, balaclavas and gloves as they raided the family home of Paul Maplesden in Rawdon, on the city’s northern fringe.

A fake handgun was found under the passenger seat of the car the two men had driven to the scene, but was not used in the daytime raid, Leeds Crown Court was told.

The fake firearm and haul of stolen goods were recovered after a policeman, who was on duty nearby, noticed the two men acting suspiciously and went to investigate, the court heard.

Mr Maplesden had left to go to work and his children were at school when Fielder-Civil and Sylvester raided the home on February 28 this year, making an untidy search of the property and making off with electrical items including an Xbox, DVD player and jewellery worth £4,000.

The items were stashed in the boot of the car and were recovered and returned to the homeowner.

Judge Scott Wolstenholme said the offences were “very serious”, adding that the two men went equipped for a “serious, professional burglary”.

He jailed both men for 32 months, adding: “This case illustrates the depth people will sink when in the grip of heroin addiction.

“It is no comfort to people who are preyed on by drug addicts that the people preying on them are drug addicts.”

He said he accepted the fake weapon was not taken on the raid but remained in the vehicle and had been acquired by Sylvester to protect himself from drug dealers who had attacked him in the past.

Fielder-Civil, who has a conviction for GBH and a conviction for a drug offence in another country, mouthed “thank-you” to the judge as he was sentenced and smiled and waved at his partner, who listened to proceedings in the public gallery.

Sylvester has 31 previous convictions, including offences involving drugs, violence and burglary.

Prosecuting, Miss Alisha Kaye said: “A police officer saw the defendants walking up the road, he became suspicious and saw the two men disappear but reappeared in the car parked nearby. The defendants were sat in the car.”

She added: “Mr Maplesden returned home to find his property had been burgled that tea time.

“The rear door had been smashed, the television knocked over, draws opened and searched.”

Miss Kaye said Sylvester and Fielder-Civil were arrested and the items were found in the boot of the car.

She said black tape had been used to alter the number plate on the vehicle. During police interviews, Fiedler-Civil made no comment, while his accomplice remained silent.

Richard Reed, for Fielder-Civil, said his client was “full of remorse and regret” and was profoundly sorry for his involvement in the crime. He said his client was now drug free and intended to remain drug free and was embarrassed to be in court facing a dishonesty charge.

He said his client’s partner was supportive and he had a newborn child to look after once he has completed his sentence. Mr Reed added: “He is doing his best to turn over a new leaf, be responsible and address his problems.”

Joseph Spencer, for Sylvester, said his client had been a heroin addict since the age of 14 and was now “at an important junction in his life” and was determined to “conquer his addiction”.

Fiedler-Civil, of River Lane in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, and Sylvester, of Roundhay Park in Leeds, admitted possessing an imitation gun and burgling a dwelling.

Fielder-Civil, a former music video assistant, married Winehouse in May 2007 but the couple divorced in 2009.

The news of her ex-husband’s imprisonment comes on the day Winehouse cancelled her remaining tour dates following a critical mauling for her concert in Serbia last week.

The singer, who has struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, told the BBC last October that she had been drug-free for three years, and had prepared for her tour by spending a week at a London rehab clinic.

Today her spokesman, Chris Goodman, said: “Amy Winehouse is withdrawing from all scheduled performances. Everyone involved wishes to do everything they can to help her return to her best and she will be given as long as it takes for this to happen.”