'Screen cutter' trial: Homeowner had 'sleepness nights' after break-ins, court hears

A Stratford, P.E.I., homeowner says he and his wife were terrified and couldn't sleep for months after their home was burglarized three times last year.

The man was testifying Wednesday at the trial of 39-year old Richard Joseph Arsenault, the alleged "screen cutter" who is accused of a string of break-ins in Stratford, Charlottetown and Cornwall.

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The homeowner told Charlottetown provincial court that he has kept knowledge of the break-insfrom his children, "for their peace of mind."

Intruder on camera

He said on two occasions, a security camera at his home showed a masked intruder in a dark jacket, rummaging through vehicles, and on one occasion, cutting a screen to gain entry, and then removing a ladder from the garage.

On thethird break-in, the intruder used a ladder and removed a screen from an upstairs bedroom window to gain entry.

Each time cash, but nothing else, was stolen.

Baby monitor in garage

The homeowner said for added security, he put a baby monitor in the garage and slept with the receiver beside his bed.

"We had a lot of sleepless nights," he told court.

A second witness also testifiedWednesday.His house was broken into in November2015.

He described footprints in and around his house.

"The 'Under Armour' logo was clearly visible," the homeowner told the court.

Three other homeownersalso testified.

In four of the five homes that the court heard about Wednesday,entry was gained by cutting window screens.

Two homes broken into on same night

Two homes on a street in Cornwall were entered on the same night.

Richard Arsenault listenedattentively to testimony all day, seated beside his defence lawyer.

During breaks in court, he exchanged smiles with his wife, who sat in the back of the public gallery.

They did not speak to each other.

The trial continues Thursday at 1 pm.

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