A COUPLE who had an iPad and vibrator stolen from their home by a friend have said they feel betrayed.

Ian Bamford will have to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service after being found guilty of burglary at Laurence and Helen Cousins’ home in Longcroft Road, Stevenage.

Bamford, of Briardale in Stevenage, received his sentence at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on Monday following the break-in in December last year, when an Apple iPad and a vibrator worth £410 in total were taken.

The 39-year-old, who met the Cousins family through his parents more than seven years ago, was also ordered to pay £800 in compensation, £300 in court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

The stolen iPad had video footage compiled by Mr Cousins which was going to be used for a charity DVD but he discovered it had been wiped after it was handed into police in January.

The 45-year-old was creating a comedy film on behalf of Marquis of Lorne pub landlord Mick Power to raise funds for the North Herts and Stevenage branch of the Alzheimer’s Society, as well as UK military charity Help for Heroes.

“Our lives have been turned upside down by this,” said Mr Cousins.

“My wife has not slept in the bedroom for months and all the bedroom draws and contents have had to be replaced as its horrid to think of just what he was doing in our bedroom when he was alone burgling our home.

“He betrayed our trust in the most horrid way ever and should be ashamed of himself.”

About the loss of the DVD footage, he added: “The aim was to show it on Christmas Day in the pub get-together and have a good laugh. We were then going to burn the DVDs at mine and Helen’s own expense and sell them via the pub, with a target of raising £1000.

“It’s sickening to know all this has been lost because of his actions. I will donate the £800 compensation to the two charities that missed out on fundraising from the charity DVD.”